Many people use sage in recipes and I am often asked what herbs can be planted together with sage. Today we’ll discuss sage, its uses, its pests, its growth needs, and finally its companion plants.
Sage is a fragrant herb that belongs to the mint family, it’s also known as common sage or garden sage. It’s grown from acrid digestible leaves; this type of plant is mostly found in the Mediterranean region.
Sage can be used as unspoiled or dried to give flavor to a variety of meals. Because of their beautiful leaves and flowers, certain farmers also plant this herb as ornamentals.
The sage plant is a hardy perennial plant that reaches a height of 2 feet (60 cm) and can be grown in your vegetable garden as well as a border plant for ornamental gardens. Make sure to plant sage in fertile soil and not too close to taller plants or trees that might shade out sage as it needs medium to full sun.
Its leaves are rough, and the flowers are spiked with hollow two-lipped corollas that attract an abundance of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The blooms can be purple, pink, white, or red.
Corolla in plants is a second whorl, which completes the perianth in combination with a layer of the calyx. It generally comprises several petals whose primary function is similar to the role of the calyx, which protects the flower reproductive structures.
Corolla is also a sterile part of the flower. It can be tubular, funnel-shaped, wheel-shaped etc. The size of the corolla is greater than the calyx. Petals are colorful and scented whose sole function is to attract pollinating agents like bees, birds etc.
Corolla in Plants – Meaning, Features, Types & Functions – Biology Reader
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Harmful Pests
Though sage plants are rarely bothered by pests, it’s still a good idea to be aware of them. They can harm and destroy your valuable sage plants if left unmanaged.
Keeping a tight eye on your plants during routine daily inspections will allow you to catch any pests before they cause irreversible damage. Dealing with sage pests is easy if the plant has better air circulation and fertile, rich soil.
Here are a few harmful insects that can reduce the natural ability of the sage plant to create a strong scent and the best tips to get rid of them.
Aphids
The tiny insects crawl on the sage plant and can suck plant sap which can cause holes and leaves behind honeydew on the plant.
The honeydew can attract other pests which can damage the plant as well. A great way to remove the aphids is to water the sage plant from above with the help of a watering can or pipe.
If you see ants on the plant, they are likely protecting the aphids so they can “mine” the honeydew left behind by the aphids. So, ants on your plants usually means aphids are nearby.
Thrips
These thin and winged insects usually feed on the sage foliage and leave balls of black excrement on the leaves. These excrements can cause white leaf scars which can harm the leaves of sage, creating holes in the leaves.
There isn’t any need to use any chemical sprays as a water stream spray can remove both thrips and the black excrement.
Spider Mites
During late spring and summer, when the conditions are dry, spider mites can also harm the sage plant. These mites, which are usually found around the stem and branches, can cause leaf yellow and stippling.
The best thing to avoid such mites is to provide better air circulation and make the air flow through the sage plant.
Slugs and Snails
Snails and slugs can eat the baby sage plant of a first-year plant or leaves if the sage plant is well grown. The slugs can cause large holes in the leaves which can get discolored or distorted.
Companion Plants
Companion planting is a tried-and-best farming method for improving and protecting highly sensitive plants. To discourage pests, attract good insects, and encourage better growth, farmers and gardeners plant together plants that help each other to get the best results.
The vegetable plants with similar growing conditions are best to plant with sage. Similar conditions like sandy soil and little water should be focused on priority.
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Sage has a number of excellent companion plants. These plants encourage sage development and help it to thrive in the garden.
The following are a few of the most useful plants to grow with sage.
Tomatoes
Tomato hornworms are the most common pests that damage tomato plants. Planting tomatoes with sage and borage, on the other hand, helps keep the worms away.
In addition, planting tomatoes with sage and cilantro repels spider mites while also attracting pollinators.
Strawberries
Planting sage alongside strawberries, on the other hand, helps to keep the pests like slugs and snails away.
Brassicas
Brassicas can be planted with sage as both plants have a win-win situation. Some of the best brassicas to plant with sage include:
Sage helps repel Brassica pests such as:
- cabbage moths
- cabbage loopers
- black fleas
- cabbage maggots
with their strong scents and brassicas can help repel slugs, as well.
Carrots
With carrots grown in your garden, carrot flies pose a problem. If sage is planted with carrot, the sage can act as a great pest control.
Rosemary
Sage is one of the few herbs that thrives in with rosemary. For a spicy herb garden, grow sage and rosemary together.
Lemon Balm
Planting lemon balm would be a great addition for a sage companion. This great plant can attract a number of useful pollinators and can repel bugs with its strong smell.
Lemon Thyme
Planting lemon thyme can benefit sage more than it is benefited from the sage or even any other mint plant.
Just like sage, lemon thyme is another common herb that grows well in sandy soil and is considered among the best sage companion plants.
Benefits of Sage Companion Planting
There are many common plants that can help grow a sage plant or help a garden grow other plants that are growing in similar conditions. In addition, adding sage companion plants can also create important functions in the garden to encourage pests to avoid specific foods on a regular basis.
Below are a few benefits which companion plants can provide.
Attract Beneficial Insects
Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and ladybugs are welcome in vegetable gardens and fertilize the crops with small help. Gardeners often plant attractive plants like rosemary, thyme, and lemon balm to attract pollinators.
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Increase Soil Nutrients
Crops consume vital nutrients from the soil as they grow bigger, many partner plants, such as bush beans and pole beans, provide resources like nitrogen to the soil, helping other plants to stay healthy and well-fed.
Increase Growth
Many associate plants (such as marjoram, chamomile, and summer savory) absorb chemicals that encourage faster growth or enhanced flavor in the plants surrounding them, resulting in better yields and quicker crops for homeowners. These plants can boost the scent of sage plants.
Eliminate Pests
Pests such as cabbage worms, carrot flies, and cabbage moths can cause problems in vegetable gardens. Many companion plants (such as marigold flowers, catnip, and rue) eliminate special pests from crops.
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