How to Grow Sage for Smudging

Sage has been used for centuries in spiritual practices, including smudging, where dried plants are burned to cleanse and purify a space. It’s a popular culinary herb as well, known for its health benefits. Growing sage can be a rewarding and easy process. This guide will help you understand how to cultivate this plant, whether you are interested in its culinary uses or its spiritual significance.

White sage, or Salvia apiana, has a long history with tribal people. Different tribes have given it various names. The Tongva and Gabrielino called it kasiile, while the Chumash referred to it as qas’ily along the Santa Barbara coastline. The Luiseno named it qaashil, and the Kumeyaay in San Diego called it shlhtaay. Despite these diverse names, it’s widely known today as white sage, a sacred plant used for food, medicine, and cleansing ceremonies.

How to Grow Sage for Smudging Guide

To grow sage for smudging, choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, spacing them 1 inch apart, and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once seedlings reach several inches tall, thin them to 12-18 inches apart. For white sage, which has a low germination rate, start seeds indoors in seed trays with consistent warmth and light.

Alternatively, grow from cuttings using a mix of perlite, sand, and compost, keeping the cuttings moist and warm. Harvest sage when plants are mature, cutting leaves in the morning and air-drying them for optimal potency in smudging rituals.

Types of Sage to Grow

Type of Sage	Commonly Used	Growth Rate	Endangered	Suitable for Smudging	Thrives in Various Environments	Aromatic Benefits	Sustainable to Grow
White Sage (Salvia apiana)	Yes	Slow-growing	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Common Sage (Salvia officinalis)	No	Easier to grow	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bee Sage (Salvia mellifera)	No	Easier to grow	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Planting Sage Seeds

To start growing sage for smudging, choose a location with well-draining soil that gets full sun or partial shade. Whether you plant indoors or outdoors depends on your climate and the growing season. Sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Water the soil gently to avoid disturbing the seeds, and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Once the seedlings have sprouted and are several inches tall, thin them to about 12-18 inches apart. This spacing allows each plant enough room to thrive. From my experience, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but never waterlogged is crucial in the early stages. With proper care, your sage will flourish, providing you with ample leaves for smudging rituals.

Growing White Sage From Seed

Planting white sage from seed can be a rewarding experience,

• Germination Challenge: White sage seeds have a low germination rate of 20-30%, so it’s essential to plant more seeds than you expect to grow.
• Preferred Planting Method: Start new plants in the spring using seed starting trays or pots rather than direct seeding.
• Sowing Seeds: Sprinkle the seeds across the soil surface and mist them lightly with a water bottle.
• Temperature Requirements: Maintain a temperature range of 70-85 degrees. Provide full light from a grow light if growing indoors or place the seeds in direct sunlight.
• Initial Watering: Keep the soil lightly moistened for the young plants.
• Watering After Growth: Once the plants start to grow, water them no more than once a week, and only if the soil feels dry. Wait until the soil begins to dry out before moistening it again.
• Companion Planting: By following these steps, you can also successfully grow creeping thyme from seed alongside your white sage, adding more variety to your herb garden.

Growing White Sage From Cuttings

If you want to grow thyme from cuttings, you can use almost similar techniques to grow white sage.

Selecting the Sage Plant

• Choose an established sage plant that is a couple of years old.
• Take a young cutting from the top of the plant where you see newly-forming leaves.
• Ensure the cutting is about 4-6 inches long and cut just above a leaf node.

Preparing the Soil Mix

• Use a special mix: 1/3 perlite, medium-grained sand, and seed starting compost.
• Lightly moisten the mix and place it into pots.

Preparing the Cutting

• Dip the cut end of the cutting into water.
• Then, dip it into Bontone Rooting Powder.
• Tap it gently to remove any excess powder.
• Plant the cutting in the prepared pot, ensuring the lowest set of leaves is about 1/2 inch below the soil surface.

Caring for the Cutting

• Keep the pot in a partly-shaded location.
• Maintain a temperature between 70-85 degrees using a heat mat.
• Water the soil sparingly, only when it feels dry just below the surface.
• After 4-6 weeks, check for root formation by gently tugging on the cutting.

Transferring the Plant

• Once rooted, remove the pot from the heat mat.
• Gradually expose the plant to more sunlight over 2-3 weeks.
• Transition the plant to full sun.

Success Rate

• This method has a low success rate of about 20%.
• However, it can be easier than finding seeds in some areas.

Sun and Soil Requirements

White sage, a hardy desert plant, thrives best under full sunlight, requiring as much exposure as possible. It favors sandy, highly well-drained soil conditions. Excessive moisture can be detrimental, potentially fatal, to white sage, emphasizing the need for optimal drainage.

When To Harvest White Sage

Growing white sage for smudging requires knowing the right time to harvest. This not only ensures the plant remains healthy but also enhances its potent qualities. Traditionally, harvests can take place at different times of year, depending on the plant’s purpose.

For cleansing smoke purposes, it is best to harvest after a period of drier conditions. During this time, the plant will have used up much of its stored water, making the oils in the leaves more potent. The leaves should be pliable, with some young growth, and when rubbed, they should emit a strong, pungent scent. This approach guarantees that the sage will be effective in cleansing rituals.

If the white sage is intended for medicinal or food purposes, it can be harvested at any time of year. However, the flavor and medicinal properties will vary. In drier conditions, the herbs become more pungent and the medicines stronger. Conversely, wetter conditions tend to mellow the leaves, sometimes requiring larger amounts to achieve the desired effect.

From personal experience, waiting until the plants are a couple of years old before harvesting helps them handle the trimmings better, reducing any adverse reactions. This patience pays off in the strong, effective sage you get for both cleansing and medicinal uses.

Harvesting and Storing Sage Leaves

When growing sage for smudging, knowing the best time and method to harvest is crucial. Once your plant is well established and several inches tall, wait until it’s at least 6-8 inches high before starting.

Choose a dry day to harvest in the morning after the dew has dried but before the day’s heat intensifies. Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the sage leaves, leaving a bit of stem attached to each. It’s important to leave some leaves on the plant so it can keep growing and producing.

For storing your harvested sage, air drying is the best method. You can hang a bundle on a door or wall for a nice, smelling room, or place the leaves and stems on a mesh screen in a cool, dry area. This way, you ensure the highest level of oils is preserved. Use pruners to cut your white sage and avoid trimming the woody part; stick to removing the softer, green growth.

Harvesting in the early afternoon when the sun is shining ensures you get the most potent leaves. Following these tricks will help you store your sage properly and not lose it. Don’t remove more than 30% of the new growth in the first year to maintain a healthy plant.

Tips for Establishing Cuttings

Growing sage for smudging is simple and rewarding. To start with young cuttings, choose healthy, established plants. Look for woody parts of the plant that are firm and cut off four inches from the stem. Ensure the cutting has multiple leaves.

Trim the stem into equal parts, then prepare your container with a mix of perlite, potting soil, and sand. Lightly moisten the soil before planting. Dip the cut end of the cutting into an organic rooting solution like Earth Juice Rootstock Cutting Gel Liquid Concentrate.

Ideally, place the cutting on a grow mat and keep it at around 75°F. This setup will help the cuttings to establish roots in four to six weeks.

Growing Problems

Growing white sage can be tricky, especially in regions where the weather turns colder. Since it is indigenous to California, the plant often struggles in temperatures that fall below freezing. This can lead to your sage suffering and eventually not surviving the cold months.

For younger sage plants, it’s best to carefully dig them up and have them transferred into a pot during these months. Keeping them in a warm location and using a grow light will provide the light they need. As the plants get older and more established, especially those over 3 years old, they become more difficult to move. At this point, transplanting them can cause stress and damage.

To allow your older sage to regrow later, you should mound sand in a thick pile around the base of the stems. This helps keep the base of the plant warm, reducing the risk of stem damage. While you might see some stem damage, chances are the plant will survive and bounce back when the weather improves. Make sure to keep this practice up regularly to ensure your sage thrives despite the colder climate.

Air Drying Sage

Once you’ve harvested your sage leaves, you’ll need to dry them before you can use them for smudging or cooking. Here’s how to air-dry sage. Bundle the leaves together with twine or string, making sure they are tightly packed. Hang the bundle upside down in a dark location with good air circulation. Allow the sage to dry for 1-2 weeks until the leaves are completely dry and brittle. Once the sage is dry, remove the leaves from the stem and store them in an airtight container.

How to Smudge

Gather and Dry White Sage

• First, collect and dry your white sage.
• Dried sage can be burned for smudging.
• It burns slowly, creating a steady smoke necessary for the ceremony.

Bundling Sage for Longer Burn

• While a single leaf can be used, bundling sage together provides a longer burn.
• Tie the bundle with cotton twine.
• Line up partially dried branches with stalks at one end.
• Press tightly and wind the string at an angle to form X’s.

Smudging Ceremony Setup

• Place dried sage in a ceremonial shell or dish.
• Light the sage and hold it in your hand.
• Walk around the location, wafting smoke over your head and towards objects needing cleansing.

Cleansing and Protecting with Sage Smoke

• The process protects people and places and promotes cleansing of negative energy.
• To cleanse a person: Move the smoking bundle around their body, starting at one foot, moving up and down the entire side, and finishing at the heart.
• To cleanse a room: Start at a far corner and work your way out, pushing out any negative energy.

Extinguishing the Smudging Stick

• Once done, gently press the tip of the smudging stick into a container to extinguish it.

Making Smudge Sticks

• Creating smudge sticks is a simple yet fulfilling task that enhances your smudging practice.
• Once your sage leaves are harvested and dried, gather them into a bundle.
• Ensure the leaves are evenly distributed for a consistent burn.
• Begin to wrap the bundle with string or twine starting at the base and working your way to the top.
• Tightly secure the bundle and tie it off, then trim any excess twine.
• Your smudge stick is now ready for use.
• To keep it fresh, store it in an airtight container until you are ready to use it.
• This method guarantees your smudge sticks are always ready for effective smudging.

Common Sage vs White Sage

When it comes to growing sage for smudging, understanding the differences between common sage and white sage is essential. While common sage is a favorite in cooking, white sage is prized for its use in incense and rituals.

The fragrant plant of white sage has an intense, tart, and resinous scent that sets it apart. The distinguishing feature of white sage lies in its leaves, which are more potent and aromatic compared to common sage.

From my experience, growing both types offers unique benefits; common sage enhances your culinary dishes, while white sage brings a spiritual essence to your home with its strong, purifying aroma.

Companion Planting

While many gardeners choose to grow white sage on its own, it can also thrive when planted alongside the following companion plants:

• California Buckwheat
• Sugar Bush
• Lemonade Berry
• Black Sage (be cautious as it can be invasive)
• California Sagebrush (ensure to plant them separately to avoid confusion)
• Hollyleaf Cherry

Conclusion

Growing sage for smudging is an easy and rewarding process suitable for gardeners of all skill levels. To grow the white sage variety, start by planting it in a well-draining location with plenty of sun. Once your sage plant is established, you can harvest its leaves.

After harvesting, dry the leaves to make smudge sticks, tea, or essential oils for various applications. Follow these simple steps to enjoy the benefits of sage at home. Growing sage is not only practical but also brings a sense of accomplishment and connection to nature.

FAQs

Can you grow your own sage to burn?

es, you can grow your own sage to make smudge sticks for your rituals. This herb is easy to cultivate and can be combined with other herbs to create smoke cleansing sticks. Besides sage, you might want to try lavender, cedar, sweetgrass, or sagebrush, all of which have their own unique properties. Many of these plants contain resinous sap, which enhances their effectiveness in cleansing rituals. Growing your own herbs adds a personal touch to your rituals and ensures you have fresh, potent ingredients on hand.

What kind of sage to grow for smudging?

The most common and popular herb for smudging is white sage. It is widely used for its healing properties to drive out negative energy and evil spirits.

Is it okay to grow white sage?

Growing white sage in your garden can be a rewarding experience, especially in California where the alpine zones are suitable. This tender perennial can come back even after cold frosts as low as 10°F. Although hard frosts can kill the plant down to the ground, you’ll see new growth arising from the root system once the soil warms. This resilience makes white sage an excellent addition to many gardens.

Can I grow sage indoors?

Yes, Sage can indeed be grown indoors if you have a sunny window or a plant light. Ensure you use well-draining soil and water the plant regularly.