How do you take salvia cuttings? Take salvia cuttings from non-flowering shoot tips in the morning, trim each to about 2 to 3 inches (5–8 cm) just below a leaf, strip the lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and set five to eight in a 6-inch (15 cm) pot of gritty cuttings compost under a clear cover. The RHS recommends August or September; softwood tips also root in late spring and summer.
Key takeaway: Salvias are among the easiest perennials to multiply. The RHS calls salvia cuttings easy to moderate and recommends them as a way to safeguard tender types against winter losses, and Montana State University Extension lists salvia among plants that root well from softwood cuttings. Culinary sage (Salvia officinalis) roots the same way.
| Factor | Guideline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Best timing for salvia cuttings | August–September (semi-ripe); late spring–summer (softwood) | RHS; Montana State Extension |
| Cutting length | 2–3 in (5–8 cm) shoot tips | RHS |
| Pot and spacing | 5–8 cuttings per 6 in (15 cm) pot | RHS |
| Rooting hormone | Recommended by RHS; often unnecessary for sage | RHS; UW–Madison |
| Rooting time | Check at 2–3 weeks; softwood often 6–8 weeks | Purdue; Montana State |
| Overwintering | Bright, frost-free, about 45°F (7°C) | RHS |
When Is the Best Time to Take Salvia Cuttings?
Late summer is the classic window. The RHS salvia guide says to take salvia cuttings in August or September, when growth may still be soft or just beginning to harden. Its tender perennials guide adds that semi-ripe salvia cuttings can be taken from summer to early autumn. Montana State Extension’s softwood window, late spring through midsummer, also works for salvia.
- Softwood: late spring–midsummer, flexible new growth.
- Semi-ripe: August–September, base hardening, tip soft.
- Avoid winter: the RHS says winter is too late.
How Do You Take Salvia Cuttings Step by Step?
Cut several non-flowering stems in the morning, when they are most hydrated, and keep them in a plastic bag. The RHS says to use only shoot tips, trim each salvia cutting just below a leaf to about 2 to 3 inches (5–8 cm), and remove the leaves from the lower half before dipping the base in rooting hormone.
- Collect non-flowering shoots early in the day.
- Bag them to prevent wilting.
- Trim tips to 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) below a leaf.
- Remove leaves on the lower half.
- Dip the base in rooting hormone.
- Insert 5–8 cuttings around a 6-inch pot.
- Water in and cover with a propagator lid or clear bag.
Do Salvia Cuttings Need Rooting Hormone?
The RHS includes rooting hormone in its salvia method, and it is a cheap insurance step. For culinary sage, University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension says softwood stem cuttings taken in summer root in moist, well-drained potting mix and that rooting hormone is generally not necessary. Our rooting hormone guide explains when it helps most.
What Compost Is Best for Salvia Cuttings?
Use a gritty, free-draining cuttings compost. The RHS specifies a 6-inch (15 cm) pot of gritty cuttings compost for salvias. Purdue Extension notes that if cuttings frequently rot before they root, the mix is staying too wet. Adding perlite or grit improves drainage, and a clear cover keeps humidity up without waterlogging the stems.
How Long Do Salvia Cuttings Take to Root?
Check after two to three weeks. Purdue Extension advises checking herbaceous and softwood cuttings for roots at that point and rechecking every one to two weeks if roots are small. Montana State Extension says softwood cuttings usually root in 6 to 8 weeks. Keep salvia cuttings at room temperature, as the RHS advises, until roots form.
- First check: 2–3 weeks (Purdue).
- Typical softwood range: 6–8 weeks (Montana State).
- Signs of rooting: new growth and resistance to a gentle tug.
Why Do Salvia Cuttings Rot or Fail?
Wet, dirty conditions are the main cause. The RHS warns that blackleg can occur if water, pots or compost are not clean, and its tender perennials guide notes grey mould and damping off where ventilation is poor. Use fresh compost and clean pots, avoid overwatering, and open the cover regularly to let damp air out.
- Use clean pots and fresh compost.
- Ventilate covers every few days.
- Remove any blackened or moldy cuttings promptly.
Can You Root Salvia Cuttings in Water?
Many soft-stemmed herbs root in water, and our sage cuttings in water guide covers that route for culinary sage. The extension and RHS methods above use compost, which avoids transplant shock. For similar woody herbs, see our lavender cuttings in water guide.
Can You Layer or Divide Salvia Instead of Taking Cuttings?
For culinary sage, yes. University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension says sage can be reproduced by layering, division or cuttings: established branches can be layered in spring and fall, and large plants divided in spring. It also notes that most named sage varieties are propagated vegetatively rather than from seed. Salvia cuttings remain the quickest way to make many plants at once.
How Do You Overwinter Rooted Salvia Cuttings?
Keep them bright, frost-free and on the dry side. The RHS says cuttings taken in late summer overwinter under glass and are ready to harden off in May, at around 45°F (7°C). Montana State Extension recommends hardening off rooted cuttings over 7 to 10 days. A propagation box helps indoors.
Can You Propagate Patented Salvia Varieties?
Check the plant tag first. Montana State Extension advises making sure a specific variety is not patented, because a patent prohibits propagation, and its list of propagation restrictions notes patents often cover new varieties and hybrids. Unpatented cultivars and species salvias can be propagated at home, and salvia cuttings keep a named cultivar identical to its parent.
FAQ About Salvia Cuttings
When should you take salvia cuttings?
August or September per the RHS, or softwood in late spring–summer.
How long should salvia cuttings be?
About 2 to 3 inches (5–8 cm) of shoot tip.
How long do salvia cuttings take to root?
Check at 2–3 weeks; most root within 6–8 weeks.
Do salvia cuttings need hormone?
The RHS uses it; sage often roots without it.
How many salvia cuttings per pot?
Five to eight in a 6-inch (15 cm) pot.
How do you overwinter salvia cuttings?
Bright, frost-free and fairly dry, about 45°F (7°C).
Sources
- Royal Horticultural Society — Salvia cuttings
- Royal Horticultural Society — Tender perennials: cuttings
- Montana State University Extension — Cloning at Home
- University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension — Sage, Salvia officinalis
- Purdue University Extension — New Plants From Cuttings
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Salvia greggii Coronado Pink 2 by Stan Shebs (CC BY-SA 3.0); Rooted-salvia-cutting by Artofactivism (CC BY-SA 3.0); Salvia nemorosa RF by Robert Flogaus-Faust (CC BY 4.0)
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