Clary sage, often simply called clary, is a vibrant herb that truly pops in your perennial garden. Its bracts, which are leaf-like structures, showcase a stunning array of colors from soft mauve and lilac to crisp white and pink, often highlighted by a charming pink edge.
Not only is it a feast for the eyes, but clary also shares a similar taste and warm, camphorous aroma with culinary sage, making it a versatile substitute in the kitchen. You can use its leaves just like sage in your cooking, brew them into soothing teas, or toss the flowers into a fresh salad for a splash of color.
Growing clary sage is a lesson in patience but absolutely rewarding. It reminds me of the old saying, “Good things come to those who wait.” It took me two years to nurture the seeds into blooming plants, but the breathtaking display was well worth the effort.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newbie looking to add some charm to your space, clary sage is a delightful choice that won’t disappoint.
About clary sage
Meet clary sage, affectionately known as Cleareye or Eye Bright. It’s a standout in the mint family, closely related to the common sage you might use in your cooking. What makes clary sage (Salvia sclarea) special is its life cycle; it’s a biennial plant. This means it blooms and seeds in its second year and then completes its life cycle, much like an annual.
Clary sage isn’t just easy on the eyes with its ornamental flowers that liven up any herb garden; it’s also a plant with a rich backstory.
Used historically for medicinal purposes, as a flavor enhancer, and for its aromatic qualities, clary sage is native to the lush Mediterranean region and parts of Asia. It has been appreciated in herbal and medical texts since the 4th century B.C., highlighting its longstanding value.
Today, clary sage thrives primarily in temperate regions across Hungary, France, and Russia. Both its leaves and flowers are cherished for their uses in teas and flavoring, as well as in aromatherapy.
The essential oil extracted from the plant, known as clary oil or muscatel sage, is particularly sought after for topical applications and for its therapeutic properties in aromatherapy.
Cultivating clary sage in your own garden isn’t just rewarding; it’s a gateway to all these uses. It’s considered safe for consumption, with a nod from Purdue University affirming its benefits. Here’s a quick guide to get you started with clary sage:
- Botanical name and family: Salvia sclarea, from the mint family, Lamiaceae.
- Origin: Northern Mediterranean.
- Plant type: It behaves as a biennial but can act as an annual or a short-lived perennial depending on the region.
- Growth habit: Clary forms a foliage rosette in the first year and shoots up 3-foot flower spikes in its second.
- Ideal growing season: Thrives in the summer.
- Suitable zones: Best grown in Zones 5 to 8.
- Hardiness: Loves hot, dry climates.
- Plant structure: Stands upright at 2½ to 3 feet tall, with square stems and broad, aromatic leaves.
- Flowers: Features small, beautiful blooms in shades of lavender, pink, or white.
- Bloom time: Flowers appear mid-to-late summer, starting the second year.
- Leaves: The gray-green leaves are large, wrinkled, and downy with a slightly toothed edge, measuring 6 to 9 inches long.
Planting clary sage
Clary sage starts its life as a rosette in its first year and shoots up a flowering stalk in its second. Typically, it lives for just two years, though it may linger a bit longer in certain climates.
This plant can reach heights of up to 4 feet and boasts striking purplish-blue flower spikes that bloom from late spring through midsummer. Each spike holds a cluster of four to six flowers. Gardeners cherish clary sage mainly for these blooms, which they often dry or press for various purposes.
It thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5 and higher, requiring full sun and well-drained soil to prosper. You can start clary sage from seeds, cuttings, or through layering, but good drainage is crucial—excess moisture can hinder growth or even kill the plant. Initially, it might need extra watering, but once established, it’s quite self-sufficient, except in very dry areas.
Where to Plant Clary Sage:
- Best Location: Choose a spot with full sun exposure.
- Soil Preparation: Plant in dry, well-drained soil, ideally with a pH between 4.8 and 7.5.
When to Plant Clary Sage:
- Seed Starting Indoors: Begin about 8 weeks before the last spring frost, with seeds taking around 14 days to germinate.
- Transplanting Outdoors: Move seedlings outdoors roughly a week before the l ast expected frost.
- Direct Sowing: Plant seeds directly into the garden in mid-spring, once the soil temperature reaches between 55° and 60°F.
How to Plant Clary Sage:
- Planting Depth: Seeds should be buried ½ inch deep. Freezing the seeds for three to five days before planting can enhance germination, which requires darkness.
- Spacing: Leave 10 to 24 inches between plants.
- Quantity: Grow one plant if using it for cooking; consider six plants for making tea or for preservation purposes.
Caring for Clary Sage
When I decided to grow clary sage, I was hoping for the same enticing fragrance as the essential oils. While the plant itself doesn’t quite match that scent, its beauty in the garden more than makes up for it.
If you’re considering growing clary sage, be prepared to exercise some patience. The seeds take their time to sprout, and once they do, you’ll need to nurture the seedlings indoors before moving them outside.
During the first year, the leaves stay close to the ground and die back in winter. Come the second year, a tall, square, hairy stem appears, eventually bursting into striking lavender and blue flowers.
I planted my clary sage seedlings in three different spots: a sunny, hot area with poor soil near the driveway, a lower section of the garden, and another in a bed over our septic field. Interestingly, the first blooms came from the hot, rocky area with poor soil—a good hint that this plant thrives in harsh conditions like plenty of sun and well-draining, stony soil.
Growing clary sage has been challenging but rewarding. Here are some key tips:
- It flourishes in USDA zones 6B to 10.
- Buy high-quality seeds from a trusted source or herbal supplier.
- Give the seeds a cold period to help germination by placing them in the freezer for a few weeks before planting.
- Plant the seeds about 1/2 inch deep, as they need darkness to sprout.
Once the seedlings are a few inches tall, transplant them to a sunny, well-drained spot. Avoid fertilizing—clary sage actually prefers poor, sandy soil. It grows to about three feet tall and produces large, fuzzy, green leaves with pale lilac or blue-tinged flowers. This hardy herb can withstand tough conditions.
For best results, start the seeds indoors, then move them outside in spring when temperatures warm up. Clary sage loves full sun but can handle partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
Here’s what clary sage needs:
- Light: At least 6 hours of sun daily, though a little afternoon shade helps in intense heat.
- Soil: Well-draining to prevent root rot.
- pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.5).
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy, allowing the top layer to dry out between waterings.
- Drought tolerance: Can handle some dry spells once established, but regular watering is important during droughts.
- Fertilizer: Doesn’t need much feeding. A balanced fertilizer or compost in spring is enough. Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, can lead to leggy plants and fewer blooms.
For care, cut back the stems of first-year plants to about 1 inch above the ground after the first frost. Mulch heavily to protect the roots over winter.
Growing Clary Sage in Containers
If you want to grow clary sage in containers, use pots at least 6 inches wide and deep. You can even grow it indoors during winter in a sunny window. For outdoor plants, mulch after the ground freezes and gradually remove the mulch in spring.
Pests and Diseases
- Pests: Watch out for spider mites. You can wash them off with water or use insecticidal soap.
- Diseases: Poor drainage can lead to root rot, so keep the soil well-drained by adding compost regularly.
Harvesting, Preserving, Propagating, and Varieties
- Harvesting Clary Sage
To get the best out of your clary sage, start picking the leaves once the plants are at least 8 inches tall. For the most potent flavor, harvest the leaves in the morning. When the flowers are about three-quarters open, it’s time to cut the flowering stems. Make your cuts near the base of the plant to gather whole stems of flowers.
- Preserving and Storing Clary Sage
To preserve clary sage, hang the stems upside down in a warm, shaded area with plenty of air flow to dry. Once dried, store the leaves in an airtight container to maintain their aroma and properties.
- Propagating Clary Sage
Clary sage blooms in its second year and is known for its ease of self-sowing. You can collect seeds from the dried flowers for future planting. If it starts to spread too much, simply transplant or remove the excess seedlings. For older clary plants, consider dividing them either in early fall or spring, and do this every three years to keep your plants vigorous.
- Varieties of Clary Sage
There are a couple of popular clary sage varieties worth noting. The ‘Turkestanica’ cultivar stands about 3 feet tall and features longer flower bracts with a striking blue hue. Another variety, ‘Vatican’, showcases beautiful white flowers and shares the same growing needs as its parent plant.
Clary Sage Uses
Clary sage might not be your go-to for culinary delights, yet it offers a unique twist when added to dishes. Traditionally, its leaves spiced up complex salads featuring dozens of ingredients and lent a distinctive taste to jellies and preserves.
When cooking, you can swap in clary sage just like regular sage, whether fresh or dried. However, a little goes a long way due to its potent flavor, which can become bitter in large amounts. It’s fantastic in bread, stuffings, and cheese dishes, and you can even sprinkle the flowers as a charming garnish or brew them into a soothing tea.
Beyond the kitchen, clary sage is a powerhouse in the garden. It’s deer-resistant, making it perfect for less manicured spaces like meadow gardens. It thrives in cooler climates, requiring a chill to bloom, and while it might self-seed, it’s not overly invasive. Gardeners love it not just for its hardiness but for its ability to draw in bees and other pollinators.
Medicinally, clary sage has roots that trace back to ancient Greece, known for easing conditions like indigestion and anxiety. While not the most obvious choice for hot flashes or PMS relief, it’s a traditional remedy worth considering.
It also finds its way into alcoholic concoctions and serves as a stabilizer and preservative in perfumes and soaps, thanks to its robust scent—which can be a hit or miss, depending on whom you ask. At home, my cats steer clear of it, but the dog seems intrigued by its potential.
In aromatherapy, clary sage essential oil is celebrated for its calming properties, helping to reduce blood pressure and soothe inflammation. It’s touted as a mild euphoric and aphrodisiac, potentially enhancing meditation and promoting vivid, memorable dreams.
Clary sage has also played a role in eye care. Historically, a paste made from clary seeds was used to remove irritants from the eyes, thanks to its sticky texture and antibacterial properties. This herb was once a common remedy for keeping eyes clear of debris and infections.
You might find clary sage labeled under various names such as Clear Eye or Eyebright, each hinting at its diverse uses. However, it’s wise to use caution: avoid clary sage during pregnancy and when consuming alcohol, as it can cause confusion and dizziness.
Whether you’re dabbling in herbal remedies, spicing up your recipes, or fostering a bee-friendly garden, clary sage is a multifaceted herb that offers benefits and beauty alike.
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