We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Salvia sclarea - L.

Common Name Clary, Europe sage, Clary Sage
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rocky igneous slopes, mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland, shale banks and roadsides to 2000 metres in Turkey[93].
Range Southern Europe to Syria.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Salvia sclarea Clary, Europe sage, Clary Sage


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salvia_sclarea_Sturm50.jpg
Salvia sclarea Clary, Europe sage, Clary Sage
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Meneerke_bloem

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Salvia sclarea is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Oil
Edible Uses: Condiment  Oil

Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong, warm, aromatic taste and odour[244]. They are used mainly as a flavouring in cooked foods[2, 27, 37, 105], they are similar to sage (S. officinalis)[1]. The leaves can be dipped in batter and cooked to make delicious fritters[183, 244]. Flowers - raw. A pleasant taste, they can be sprinkled on chopped salads[183, 238], or made into a tea[238]. The plant is sometimes used as a hop substitute in flavouring beer, imparting considerable bitterness and intoxicating properties[4] - it either makes people dead drunk or insanely exhilarated[244]. The leaves have also been used to adulterate wine and give it a muscatel flavour[244].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Appetizer  Aromatherapy  Aromatic  Astringent  Balsamic  Carminative  Ophthalmic  
Pectoral  Tonic

Clary has been perceived both as a weaker version of sage (Salvia officinalis) and also as a significant herb in its own right[254]. An antispasmodic and aromatic plant, it is used mainly to treat digestive problems such as wind and indigestion[254]. It is also regarded as a tonic, calming herb that helps relieve period pain and pre-menstrual problems. Owing to its oestrogen-stimulating action, it is most effective when levels of this hormone are low[254]. The whole plant, and especially the leaves, is antispasmodic, appetizer, aromatic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, pectoral and tonic[4]. It is useful in treating disorders of the stomach and kidneys and is a valuable remedy for complaints associated with the menopause, particularly hot flushing[4, 254]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, for drying they are harvested before the plant comes into flower[238]. The seed forms a thick mucilage when it is soaked for a few minutes in water. This is efficacious in removing small particles of dust from the eyes[4, 238]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Euphoric'[210].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Essential  Oil

An essential oil is obtained from the flowering stems. Called 'Muscatel oil', it has an ambergris aroma and is used in soaps, cosmetics, as a fixative in perfumery etc[1, 46, 74, 171, 238]. A drying oil is obtained from the seed, it is used in varnishes, paints etc[74].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Seashore. Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[200]. Thrives on any ground that is not too wet[4]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[200]. Hardy to about -20°c[187]. A biennial or short-lived perennial[187]. The flowers can be air-dried and used as everlasting flowers[200]. A very ornamental plant, it is strongly aromatic and is sometimes cultivated for its essential oil, there are some named varieties[74, 183]. When bruised, the leaves release a deliciously pungent and refreshing smell of fresh grapefruit[245]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[245]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - can be sown in situ during spring[1]. Alternatively seed can be sown in August/September to overwinter, it will then produce larger plants Thinnings can be transplanted[1]. The seed remains viable for 3 years[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel (north), Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan EUROPE: Germany, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cistus salviifoliusRock Rose, Salvia cistus, Sage Leaf Rock RoseShrub0.6 8-11 FLMNDM103
Salvia apianaWhite Sage, Compact white sagePerennial3.0 7-10  LMNDM312
Salvia ballotaeflora Annual0.0 -  LMNDM10 
Salvia carduaceaThistle SageAnnual/Perennial0.7 7-10  LMNDM20 
Salvia carnosaPurple SageShrub0.8 6-9  LMNDM12 
Salvia clevelandiiBlue Sage, Fragrant sage, Chaparral SageShrub0.6 8-11 MLMNDM10 
Salvia columbariaeChia, Ziegler's sageAnnual/Perennial0.7 6-9  LMNDM32 
Salvia dorisianaSage Fruity PineapplePerennial1.3 9-12 FLMHSNM303
Salvia elegansPineapple Sage, Pineapple-scented Sage,Perennial1.0 8-11 MLMNDM312
Salvia fruticosaGreek Sage, Greek oreganoShrub1.0 8-11  LMNDM232
Salvia glabrescens Perennial0.3 -  LMSNDM10 
Salvia glutinosaJupiter's Distaff, Sticky SagePerennial1.2 4-8  LMSNDM103
Salvia hispanicaMexican Chia, ChiaAnnual1.0 8-11  LMNDM30 
Salvia japonica Perennial0.8 7-10  LMSNDM102
Salvia lanata Perennial0.3 6-9  LMNDM11 
Salvia lanigeraWrinkle-Leaved SageShrub0.0 -  LMNDM10 
Salvia lavandulifoliaSpanish SageShrub0.3 4-8  LMNDM232
Salvia leucanthaMexican Bush SageShrub1.2 8-10 FLMHNM013
Salvia lyrataCancer Weed, Lyreleaf SagePerennial0.6 4-9 MLMNDM020
Salvia melliferaCalifornian Black SageShrub2.0 7-10  LMNDM12 
Salvia microphyllaBlackcurrant SagePerennial1.2 7-10  LMNDM22 
Salvia moorcroftiana Perennial0.9 6-9  LMNDM11 
Salvia multicaulis Shrub0.3 7-10  LMNDM10 
Salvia multiorrhizaDan ShenPerennial0.6 5-9  LMNDM03 
Salvia officinalisSage, Kitchen sage, Small Leaf Sage, Garden SageShrub0.6 5-10 MLMNDM455
Salvia plebeia Biennial0.5 -  LMNMWe11 
Salvia pomiferaApple SageShrub1.0 7-10  LMNDM22 
Salvia pratensisMeadow Clary, Introduced sagePerennial1.0 3-7  LMNDM100
Salvia reflexaMintweed, Lanceleaf sageAnnual0.8 0-0  LMNDM100
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

93200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Jun 18 2011 12:00AM

In south-east England I have found S. sclarea starts flowering from mid-June. Scope for confusion because painted sage S. horminum is also known as Clary Sage, but S. sclarea has much bigger leaves and of course the flowers are quite different.

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Salvia sclarea  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.