Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea
Aromatic sage prized for its essential oils and aromatherapy uses. This biennial herb produces beautiful flowers and is valued for its calming, therapeutic properties.
Plant Characteristics
Appearance
Clary sage features large, heart-shaped leaves with a fuzzy texture and a strong, musky aroma. The plant produces tall flower spikes with small, tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. It's a biennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle in two years.
Growth Habit
This herb grows 2-4 feet tall in its first year, forming a rosette of large leaves. In the second year, it sends up tall flower spikes and produces seeds before dying. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and prefers cool, temperate climates.
Aromatic Properties
Clary sage has a distinctive, musky aroma that is both earthy and slightly sweet. The essential oil is highly valued in aromatherapy for its calming and balancing properties. The scent is more complex than culinary sage varieties.
Growing Requirements
🌞 Light Requirements
Full sun to partial shade. Prefers cooler conditions.
💧 Water Needs
Moderate. Keep soil evenly moist but well-drained.
🌱 Soil Type
Rich, well-draining soil with good fertility.
📏 Mature Size
2-4 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide. Biennial growth.
Essential Oil Production
Clary sage is primarily grown for its essential oil, which is extracted from the leaves and flowers. The oil is highly valued in aromatherapy and natural medicine.
Oil Properties
- Aroma: Musky, earthy, slightly sweet
- Color: Pale yellow to colorless
- Consistency: Thin, non-viscous
- Yield: Low oil yield per plant
- Quality: High therapeutic value
Aromatherapy Uses
Clary sage essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy for its calming and balancing effects. It's particularly valued for its ability to promote relaxation and emotional well-being.
Therapeutic Benefits
- Relaxation: Calming and stress-relieving
- Sleep aid: Promotes restful sleep
- Hormonal balance: Supports women's health
- Mood enhancement: Uplifting and balancing
- Pain relief: Natural analgesic properties
Quick Facts
Care Tips
- • Plant in cool season
- • Provide good drainage
- • Harvest leaves before flowering
- • Allow some plants to go to seed
- • Protect from extreme heat
Uses
- • Essential oil production
- • Aromatherapy
- • Natural medicine
- • Perfumery
- • Ornamental gardens
Ready to Grow Clary Sage?
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