Russian Sage Guide: How to Grow Russian Sage

Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a low-maintenance, bushy perennial plant that blooms in small violet flowers throughout the summer. It is a drought-tolerant plant native to southwest and central Asia that is resilient and can thrive in most climates. Russian sage produces lavender flowers from mid-summer to the first frost of fall. It is very aromatic and attracts many pollinators like honeybees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Despite its name, Russian sage is not a true sage (or salvia) plant, but a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Russian sage is often used in xeriscaping—which is a style of landscaping that requires little to no water—making it a perfect addition to a rock garden alongside succulents and other ornamental grasses.

There are several cultivars of Russian sage that differ in leaf shape, height. and color. Here is an overview of some varieties of Russian sage.

1. 1. Blue spire: Blue spire is the most common variety of Russian sage and grows to an average height of about three feet. Its fragrant flowers bloom in a dark purple hue.
2. 2. Little spire: Little spire, as its name suggests, is a more diminutive cultivar of Russian sage that reaches only about 18 inches in height.
   
3. 3. Filigran: Filigran grows fragile, lacey leaves. Its lavender flowers grow in swirls from stiff, upright, square stems.
4. 4. Blue steel: Blue steel is a durable cultivar of Russian Sage that is known for flowering within the first year after being planted from seed. This variety grows blue tubular flowers.

You can plant Russian Sage in the early spring indoors, six weeks before the final frost has passed. It is a durable plant that thrives in USDA zones 5–9. If you are growing Russian sage from a seed, begin your seeds indoors in the early spring and then transfer the seedlings to a garden as soon as the threat of the last frost has passed.

Russian sage plants are deciduous—not evergreen—but they can easily survive the winter, especially with the help of a protective layer of mulch over its root system. Leave the old stems for the cold seasons, and then prune them down to a foot in the late spring.

Follow these steps to begin growing your own Russian sage plant from seed.

1. 1. Buy your seeds. You can buy Russian sage seeds from any garden center.
2. 2. Choose your container. If you live in a cold winter climate, start your Russian sage inside before transferring to your garden. Start it in a small or medium-sized pot. Choose a spot for the pot that gets full sun which will help your seeds germinate.
3. 3. Prepare your soil. Russian sage prefers medium-to-dry, well-draining soil of a pH of 7 through 9. Prepare this type of soil inside your growing container.
4. 4. Sow your seeds in an indoor pot. Plant your Russian sage seeds in your prepared soil. Germination can take anywhere from one to four months. In the meantime, keep the seeds moist and warm. Water them regularly.
5. 5. Transplant your seedlings. When your seedlings have sprouted, it’s time to move them to your garden. The best time to move them to your garden is in the early spring. Find a spot with plenty of sunlight, making sure that your seedlings have at least three feet of spacing in between them.
6. 6. Water your transplants. While Russian sage thrives in dry soil, you will need to water new seedlings until their roots begin to grow. Slowly decrease the amount of water as the plant begins to establish itself.

Follow these easy care steps to keep your Russian sage healthy.

1. 1. Make sure it gets plenty of sun. Russian sage needs plenty of sunlight even if it doesn’t require much water. If it starts to look droopy, make provisions to get the plant more sunlight.
2. 2. Water your plant cautiously. You need to water new Russian sage transplants until their roots take hold. When the shrub is established, you want to significantly scale back watering. This plant doesn’t grow well in moist, poorly-drained soil and is highly susceptible to root rot, so make sure not to over-water.
3. 3. Prune your plant occasionally. Prune any stems off of your plant that appear woody (stiff and brittle as opposed to herbaceous). If the plant stops blooming in the summer, remove the top halves of the stems to encourage new growth. This will also allow the plant to grow a fresh batch of flowers.

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