Green Sage Plant Care

Green Sage (Condea verticillata) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Condea genus. Green Sage is native to Mexico, Florida, Central America, the Caribbean, and northwestern South America. Green Sage is also known as Tropical Sage.

Green Sage displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Green Sage produces small tubular purple flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Green Sage every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Green Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Condea verticillata tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Green Sage prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Green Sage to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Green Sage every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Green Sage is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Green Sage can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Green Sage while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Green Sage is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Green Sage can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to condea elegans plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Green Sage is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Green Sage grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Green Sage is native to Mexico, Florida, Central America, the Caribbean, and northwestern South America. In cooler regions, grow Green Sage as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.