Plant guide
Common sage
Salvia officinalis
Common sage is non-toxic to cats. This assessment does not cover essential oils or prepared products.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Salvia officinalis only; Greek sage and unrelated plants with sage in their name are outside scope.
Photo:
Photo details
Salvia officinalis — NC State Extension image 13852
By Kathleen Moore
License: CC BY 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Plant shopping
Explore this plant
Photo:
Photo details
Salvia officinalis — NC State Extension image 13852
By Kathleen Moore
License: CC BY 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Purple sage plants
View on Amazon — purple sage plants; paid link; opens in a new tabPaid link · Opens in a new tab
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
A little paw-note: We may earn a commission when you buy through these links. This helps us keep building and helps Nico & Larry sustain their lavish kitty lifestyle.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Look for Salvia officinalis and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Salvia officinalis
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
Find the right spot
How to grow this plant
Salvia officinalis only; Greek sage and unrelated plants with sage in their name are outside scope.
- Light
- Sunny position
Full sun.
- Watering
- Let the mix partly dry
Allow relatively dry conditions; do not keep roots wet.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
No preferred temperature range established.
- Humidity
No specific humidity target established.
- Potting
- Well-drained soil with medium to low moisture.
- Through the year
- Prune during active growth without cutting into old wood; harvest lightly in the first year.
Growing-guide sources
- Salvia officinalis ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-15
Salvia officinalis only; Greek sage and unrelated plants with sage in their name are outside scope.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.