Sage, White (Salvia apiana) seeds, organic

Packet of 100 White Sage Seeds

Family:  Mint (Lamiacea)

Hardy to Zones 7 to 12, otherwise grown as a potted plant and protected from frost

(Sacred White Sage) Woody perennial native to California.  Rosette usually grows to 2 or 3 feet tall, flowering light blue to a height of 6 feet on multiple upright racemes.   The beautiful white foliage of this indigenous plant sets off the silver-blue flowering spikes. Foliage is light green to white when the plant is young, and turns very white as the plant matures, and especially after drying the leaves. This is the most highly valued and revered of all North American Sages, burned ceremonially to cleanse the spirit and welcome positive thoughts.  Probably the most popular of all plants for smudging, the leaves dry down almost white and burn with an intense smoke.  The smoke purifies the surroundings–it is good to smudge the home, the sickroom (it kills germs!) or to smudge after intense human  interactions.  Used before, during and after prayer sessions.   The characteristic perfume of this plant is sweet and penetrating. If you’re concerned about your “right” to use this plant, then I have 2 suggestions.  1) grow your own, using cultivated (not wild) seed.  This creates a connection between the grower and the plant, which helps validate the medicine.  2) Sit with the plant.  Enjoy its essence.  See if it feels right for you to be growing and using it, and if so, then pray that all who touch, smell, see or think about these plants be purified and in peace.  If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.  If it feels right, go ahead.  That’s my advice on that.  Cultivation and harvest:  White sage prefers sandy soil in the full sun. Plants grow quickly during the summer and may be trimmed back in the fall, after flowering is complete. Scarify seeds on fine grit sandpaper, sow seeds in very sandy soil, barely cover, tamp well, keep warm and in strong light and water only once daily until germination. Our seed is from northern-hardy individuals and is a vigorous germinator–normal germ time 14 days in warm and light conditions. Winter survivability improves when the plant is surrounded by a deep mulch of sand at the crown–this keeps the crown warmer and drier. Winter survival also encouraged by planting on the south side of a building, where it gets reflected light and protection.  Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart. Cut the leafy wands in the fall, semi-dry them, then tie into bundles for use during the winter.

Certified Organically Grown