White Sage in Zone 9a & 9b
Salvia apiana
Yes, white sage grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 21–Dec 28 and plant out Feb 15–Feb 22.
When to plant white sage in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Dec 21–Dec 28 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 15–Feb 22 |
| Estimated harvest | May 16–May 23 (~90 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of white sage in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMar 1–Mar 8
- BorageFeb 15–Feb 22
- DillFeb 8–Feb 15
- RosemaryMar 1–Mar 8
- AniseFeb 15–Feb 22
- Anise HyssopFeb 15–Feb 22
White sage is a different species from the common culinary sage already covered on this site, grown mainly for its silvery, fragrant foliage, traditionally dried into smudge bundles rather than used in the kitchen.
How white sage fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. White sage needs about 90 days from sowing to first harvest.
White Sage planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | Jul 24–Jul 31 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jul 9–Jul 16 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Jun 23–Jun 30 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | May 16–May 23 |
Harvest dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for white sage.
Where to buy white sage seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries white sage seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing white sage" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing White Sage in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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