Photo: Мария СтрельниковаCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage Plant Care
Phlomoides tuberosa Moench
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's fuzzy gray-green leaves are its most striking feature, originating from the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to its unique tuberous roots, which are highly sought after for their medicinal properties and ability to thrive in rocky, arid conditions.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tuberous Jerusalem Sage?
Water Tuberous Jerusalem Sage every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Tuberous Jerusalem Sage Native To?
- Albania
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- The Netherlands
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
What Is the Tuberous Jerusalem Sage?
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage (Phlomoides tuberosa) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Phlomoides genus. Tuberous Jerusalem Sage is native to China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, south west Asia and Europe.
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Tuberous Jerusalem Sage produces tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tuberous Jerusalem Sage?
Phlomoides tuberosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tuberous Jerusalem Sage Need?
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tuberous Jerusalem Sage Prefer?
Phlomoides tuberosa grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Tuberous Jerusalem Sage prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tuberous Jerusalem Sage?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Tuberous Jerusalem Sage to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tuberous Jerusalem Sage?
Feed Tuberous Jerusalem Sage every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Tuberous Jerusalem Sage?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Tuberous Jerusalem Sage?
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to labiate phlomoides plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tuberous Jerusalem Sage Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tuberous Jerusalem Sage, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Tuberous Jerusalem Sage?
Tuberous Jerusalem 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tuberous Jerusalem Sage Need?
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Tuberous Jerusalem Sage is native to China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, south west Asia and Europe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Phlomoides genus — compare its care with other Phlomoides species on PlantoScan.
Phlomoides is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Tuberous Jerusalem Sage thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Phlomoides tuberosa Moench, family Lamiaceae (first published in Methodus : 403 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tuberous Jerusalem Sage, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Мария Стрельникова, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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