Identification and Reproduction

Identification: 

• Clary sage is a biennial plant that is currently grown for essential oils.
• Stems are square and grow up to 1.2 m tall.  Can grow upright or sprawl laterally. 

• Leaves have a wrinkled appearance and covered in hairs. They are larger at the base, reaching 30 cm long. 
• Flowers are found in whorls of 2-6 flowers and collectively make a spike on the terminal end of stems. Flowers are bilabiate with colourful bracts, ranging from lilac, white or pink in colour. 

Reproduction: 

• Reproduces by seed. 

Habitat & Ecology

• Clary sage thrives in fully exposed sites. 
• It does well in medium moisture and well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. 
• Intolerant of high humidity and temperatures. 
• Is tolerant of drought. 
• It can become unmanageable on open range lands or pastures. 
• Has yet to be observed in BC but is present in the state of Washington. 

Impacts

Ecological:

• They displace native plant species. 
• Reduce wildlife foraging and habitat. 
• Under the right conditions will escape cultivation and take over exposed sites. 

Management

Prevention is a high priority for this species. 

• Maintain good ground cover to slow the spread and prevent invasive establishment. 
• Do not purchase, plant or distribute clary sage. 
• Learn to identify clary sage. 
• Report this plant if you think you have seen it. 

Resources

For more details on identification and historic uses of clary sage, check out the Plants For A Future datasheet on Salvia Sclarea here. 

Header photo (Udo Schröter).