Updated at: 20-06-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

With three options to select from, learning how to propagate Russian sage is simple. Those looking for a low-maintenance plant that still adds some color to the garden can consider this perennial. It’s also possible to choose the best way of propagation because you have three options.

You can grow Russian sage in a greenhouse even though it is hardy and thrives in zones 5 through 9. This flowering perennial is one of the many plants that can be grown indoors, and it will profit much from a steady environment. Remember that when it comes to propagation, you want to create the optimal conditions for seeds to germinate or cuttings and divisions to take root.

What Is Russian Sage?

In the Lamiaceae (mint) family, Russian sage is a semi-woody, blooming perennial.

To enhance visual interest, it is commonly cultivated with decorative grasses and flowering perennials in cottage gardens.

Gardening Tips : How to Grow Russian Sage (Perovskia "Blue Spire") - YouTube

Cultivars have been created, and the majority of them may be identified based on their height.

While many of these species have a common ancestor, they have been reclassified as distinct subgenus Perovskia Salvias, with distinct flower colors or other identifying characteristics.

Standing upright, S. yangii can reach a height of four feet. It has distinctive green-gray aromatic leaves and blue-purple flowers.

Yangii’s upright growth pattern allows the species to reach heights of up to four feet. Her flowers are a deep blue-purple color and have scented green-gray foliage.

Tiny, dark brown, nut-like fruits develop from pollinated blooms.

The natives of its native territory have used this plant for centuries to heal fevers and soothe upset stomachs, but today it is primarily cultivated for its decorative appeal.

Either they can be eaten, which has a sweet and slightly spicy flavor, or dyed with them.

Phytoremediation, the removal of heavy metals from the soil, is also being researched with this plant.

The leaves contain a potentially poisonous chemical, thus they should not be consumed. Please proceed with caution when experimenting with culinary use of any plant grown in the garden that you have not consumed before.

Before eating this plant, it is best to consult a certified herbalist or medical expert.

It’s also a good idea to use gloves when working with this plant, as it can cause skin irritation in some people.

Cultivation and History

Prior to 2017, Russian sage was referred as as Perovskia atriplicifolia by botanists. Salvia yangii was the new name given to it to reflect its new status as a member of the Salvia genus.

If you’re looking for a fast-spreading plant, look no further than the mint family.

Russian naturalist Grigory Karelin named this plant in 1841, and he collected tens of thousands of specimens in his time and explored areas within this plant’s native range.

In 1841, Russian naturalist Grigory Karelin gave this plant its scientific name after collecting and exploring tens of thousands of specimens throughout its native habitat.

Although it was originally called after Vasily Perovsky, an Imperial Russian general who served as military governor in the Russian region of Orenburg, it is actually native to Central Asia, encompassing Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with Tibet.

Saltbush and other Atriplex genus members’ foliage is what gives this plant its common name of Atriplicifolia.

Since its first introduction to the UK, a number of renowned gardeners, notably Irish wild and cottage gardening advocate William Robinson and horticulturist and former director of the US National Arboretum John Creech, have fallen in love with this plant and advocated its cultivation.

Russian sage was named Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association in 1995, and the Royal Horticultural Society notes ‘Hybrida,’ selected at Hampshire Nursery in the 1930s as the first hybrid variety.

How To Propagate Russian Sage For Beginners

Option #1. Seeds

Russian sage seeds can be planted at any time of year, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin. Using a greenhouse is even better because it shields the seeds from harsh weather and temperatures. While the university stated that this plant’s seeding period is flexible, you still need to cover them with the medium.

Seeds can either be purchased or collected from your own Russian sage plants. In order to harvest the pods intact, you’ll need to wait till they’ve finished flowering. When not in use, the seeds can be kept in an airtight container.

Cold stratification and germination

Seed propagation of Russian sage isn’t popular among gardeners because it can take up to four months for the seeds to germinate. Russian sage can be grown from seed, but you may not have access to any plants to get cuttings from. Even more so, it is necessary for the seeds to be cold stratified in order to break their dormancy and grow into healthy, compact plants.

Place the seeds in a temperature range of 35 to 44°F for at least ten days before germination to treat them. To speed up the sprouting and germination process, you can place the seeds in a plastic bag and place them in the refrigerator for a month. Maintain the greenhouse temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the sprouting process.

Sowing and transplanting

Sow the seeds in potting soil and maintain moisture. Seedlings can be transplanted into a new container if they’ve grown large enough to do so. However, remember to harden the plants first to avoid stress.

Russian-sage Plant Care & Growing Basics: Water, Light, Soil, Propagation etc. | PlantIn

Option #2. Cuttings

Sow the seeds in potting soil and maintain moisture. Seedlings can be transplanted into a new container if they’ve grown large enough to do so. However, it is important to first harden the plants to avoid any unnecessary strain.

Gathering

Keep the seeds moist by planting them in potting soil. Before transplanting in late spring, you can transplant the seedlings into a new container until they are large enough to do so. But be sure to harden the plants first so that they don’t get stressed.

Planting

Compact the dirt around the cutting after it has been dipped in a moist potting soil. If you maintain the cuttings in an area that is bright but not directly exposed to sunlight, they should be able to root. Additionally, you need to keep the soil moist in order to promote establishment and safeguard the cuttings from exposure to high winds and temperatures.

Option #3. Division

In the end, Russian sage propagation can be achieved through division. Maintenance and cloning can be accomplished every three years, which is ideal for individuals who have older plants. With dry buds clearly visible, spring and fall are ideal times for harvesting from Russian sage.

Digging

Make digging easier by chopping the plant down to 8 inches in order to divide it. The rootball can then be removed by digging around the plant with a shovel. Remove the soil from the rootball once you’ve dug it out to make it easier to divide the plant.

Planting

The size of the plant has an impact on the number of sections you can create. Using your hands, remove the roots and set them in a bowl of water to keep them hydrated. Because of the stable atmosphere, you’ll have an advantage by starting divisions in the greenhouse.

For these transplants, the new hole should be as deep as their root length. When planting, it’s important to keep the plant in place, especially around its roots. Ensure that the soil is well-drained and that water is available.

Tip

It is not necessary or even preferable to use chemical fertilizers on Russian sage, as most garden soil already contains more nutrients than the plant is used to.

Warning

Keep in mind that bees are drawn to Russian sage while selecting a location for its cultivation.

Perennial subshrub Perovskia atriplicifolia, often known as Russian sage, produces spires of lavender to blue flowers throughout the summer and fall. With the exception of light watering and occasional pruning for shape and size, Russian sage thrives in less-than-ideal soil and temperature conditions. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. Russian sage is a woody blooming perennial that may be produced from seed or by cuttings.

After Rooting Russian Sage Care

Russian sage cuttings need to be placed in a potting mix so that the nutrients in the soil can nourish the plant when they root. The young plants would die if I left them in the sand medium I use for cuttings for too long.

To help them grow used to being outside, these cuttings are currently only exposed to morning sun. So that I can get full sun, I’ll gradually shift them to a more shady place.

Two little Russian sage plants can be seen in the centre of the potted cuttings. While moving a Russian Sage to another garden plot yesterday, I discovered this (future post). Finding new seedlings is usually a pleasant surprise. Since I got them from the same place I got my ‘Longin’ Russian sage,’ I expect they’ll be quite similar, but nothing is certain with seeds, so you never know for sure until you try them.

A few of these new Russian sage plants will be planted in the garden, a few will be given away, and a few will be traded. Seedlings will be planted as well. I had room in the garage after potting up my nine Russian sage cuttings. This morning, I made fourteen new cuts! Aren’t you a big fan of freebies?

Propagating Plants can benefit from the following resources. (Am. Aff connects to)

  • Plant Propagation: How to Generate Your Own Plants
  • Rooting out Hormones.
  • Garden Snips with micro-tips for cuts

Why I Love Russian Sage in the Garden

Russian sage is attractive

Gardening with Russian sage is a great idea because the plant has a wide range of beneficial qualities. It’s clear that this is a visually appealing plant. The tall spires of purple/blue flowers are highly eye-catching and can be paired with a variety of other plants. Roses, coreopsis, verbena, and a slew of other perennials pair well with it. Russian sage can be put in front of evergreens to offer some summertime color with a green backdrop.

Russian Sage Growing Guide: (Plant, Grow, and Care for Russian Sage)

Good Companion Plants for Russian Sage

Black eyed susans, rudbeckians, echinococcus, verbena, achilleanthus, butterfly weed, Asiatic lilies, and artemisinin ‘Powis Castle’ are just few of the flowers that may be found in this garden.

Russian Sage is as Deer Proof of a Perennial as they come!

The Russian sage is also DEER PROOF!! Russian sage is a deer deterrent in my garden, where I have a problem with deer. Many deer resistant types aren’t in that category, however. Often deer will sample something to see whether they like it, but with my Russian sage plants they never worry. There is a possibility that the leaves’ powerful scent could be to blame for this.

Russian Sage Attracts Pollinators

My garden is inundated with pollinators thanks to the presence of Russian sage in it. When my Russian sage is in full bloom, it attracts a wide variety of bees. It also attracts helpful insects, including as butterflies and hoverflies, which are attracted to the plant.

Propagating Russian Sage with Cuttings

Russian sage spreading can be summarized as follows:

  • A clean pair of pruning shears or scissors is all you need to make three or four 4 inch long node cuttings.
  • Rooting hormone can be applied to the cut end of the Russian sage cutting (not absolutely necessary as Russian sage will root without additional rooting hormone).
  • Carefully place your cutting in a rooting media such as sand. Fill up any sand gaps with a pencil to prevent fragile stems from snapping. (It’s so aggravating when a cutting is damaged!)
  • Using a mister or a plastic bag, keep the cuttings moist. Most cuttings die as a result of water loss due to transpiration. I had a lot of success, but I also lost a few cuttings along the way.
  • After around two weeks, gently tug on the cuts to see if they’re still alive. In the event of resistance, a thorough search for roots is recommended.
  • A suitable potting soil should be used if you have roots on your cuttings. Keep an eye on the cuttings for a week if there are no roots and they appear healthy.

A Couple Additional Tips on Russian Sage Propagation

Carry a water container with you when you’re taking cuttings. Gather more cuttings as you store the fresh ones in the jar. The water loss will be reduced until you have a sufficient number of cuttings to stick.

Hardwood cuttings of Russian sage can also be used to propagate the plant. Although it is commonly thought of as a perennial, it is actually a small shrub. Hardwood branches can be utilized to make cuttings in the winter when the leaves fall off.

Best Growing Conditions for Russian Sage

Perennial Russian sage may survive in the most difficult of environments. I’ve discovered that excessive dampness is the one thing you need to avoid. The roots of a plant might rot if there is too much moisture in the air. Russian sage thrives in a sunny, well-drained environment. As long as the soil isn’t too damp, it doesn’t mind.

Russian Sage Varieties

Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) comes in a wide variety of cultivars from which to choose for your landscape. The following are some of the plants you might wish to look into and plant in your garden:. In addition to ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Blue Spires,’ other notables include ‘CrazyBlue, Lacey Blue, Little Spires, and Longin.’

Conclusion

Russian sage, a low-maintenance plant, will brighten up any greenhouse or garden. To make things even better, there are numerous ways to spread Russian Sage, making the process much easier. Russian sage can be sown even if you don’t yet have mature plants, as long as you have first stratified them.

Alternatively, you can take cuttings from your current plants in the spring or summer. To ensure that Russian sage grows, divide the plant every three years and sow the new sections in their place. Regardless of which approach you choose, you will have a better chance of achieving the perfect growing conditions in a greenhouse than without one.