Companion Planting: Sage

Salvia officinalis

Spacing: 1 per square foot. Mature height: 1.5-2.5 ft.

Plant these nearby

• Cabbage: Penn State Extension lists sage among the herbs that measurably deter the egg-laying behavior of adult imported cabbageworm moths — the flea-beetle-deterrent half of this claim is less well documented, so treat that part as garden tradition. (source)
• Carrot: Reputed to mask carrot scent from carrot rust fly, but Utah State Extension's carrot rust fly management guide doesn't list sage or any aromatic-herb masking strategy among its controls — treat this as folklore, not a documented tactic.
• Rosemary: Compatible dry-soil perennial companion.

Keep these apart

• Onion: Prefers drier soil than alliums typically need nearby.

Common pairings, answered directly

Can I plant sage next to cabbage?

Yes. Penn State Extension lists sage among the herbs that measurably deter the egg-laying behavior of adult imported cabbageworm moths — the flea-beetle-deterrent half of this claim is less well documented, so treat that part as garden tradition.

Can I plant sage next to carrot?

Yes. Reputed to mask carrot scent from carrot rust fly, but Utah State Extension's carrot rust fly management guide doesn't list sage or any aromatic-herb masking strategy among its controls — treat this as folklore, not a documented tactic.

Can I plant sage next to rosemary?

Yes. Compatible dry-soil perennial companion.

Can I plant sage next to onion?

Better not to. Prefers drier soil than alliums typically need nearby.

Lay this out in the Garden Designer →

Pin this for later

Companion planting for Sage: which plants to grow next to it, which to keep apart, and the reason behind each pairing.

Save to Pinterest