Sacred White Sage - 100 seeds (Salvia apiana) SM

Family: Mint (Lamiacea). Hardy to Zones 7 to 12, otherwise grown as a potted plant and protected from frost.

Plant Description: 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 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 by Indigenous people to cleanse the spirit or a space. Probably the most popular of all plants for smudging, the leaves dry down almost white and burn with an intense smoke.

Growing Instructions: 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. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart. Strictly Medicinal's seed is from northern-hardy individuals and is a vigorous germinator – normal germ. time 14 days in warm and light conditions. 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. Cut the leafy wands in the fall, semi-dry them, then tie into bundles for use during the winter. 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.

Packet contains 100 seeds. Certified Organically Grown.