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Salvia sclarea

Clary · Clary-sage · Europe Sage · Clary Sage

Family LamiaceaeGenus Salvia

Tall spikes of pink and white bracted flowers rising from clumps of very large crinkled leaves, at the foot of a tree.
The whole plantH. ZellCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous perennialPlant Finder
Habit
biennial or perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
2-4 ft0.6-1.2 mPlant Finder
Spread
2-3 ft60-90 cmPlant Finder
Flower
Showy, fragrant; white to lavenderPlant Finder
Blooms
June to AugustPlant Finder
Native range
Europe to Central AsiaPlant Finder
Hardiness zones
5-9Plant Finder
Note
Deno tested a 60 cm and a 180 cm form separately; only the tall one germinates cold.Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed.

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunPlant Finder
Soil
Average, medium moisture, well-drainedPlant Finder
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry, Very DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
MediumPlant Finder

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno.

Worth knowing

  • Clary comes from Latin for clear. Its seeds have a mucilaginous coat, and old herbals advised putting one in an eye to pick up a speck; Culpeper called it clear-eye. Wikipedia: Salvia sclarea
  • Its oil is used in perfume and to give a muscatel flavor to vermouths, wines and liqueurs. In 16th-century Germany clary was added to Rhine wines. Wikipedia: Salvia sclarea

This source reports 16 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 30, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow on the surface — do not cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 6 days to germinate.

61% germination in 2–6 days.

The best of eight. Deno's 180 cm form.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, SalviaPublic domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)-70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 30, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 6 days to germinate.

61% germination in 2–6 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209Public domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)- 70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow on the surface — do not cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 12 days to germinate.

46% germination in 2–12 days.

Light is worth fifteen points on this form. Deno's 60 cm form.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, SalviaPublic domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)-70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 12 days to germinate.

46% germination in 2–12 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209Public domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)- 70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 29, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 7 days to germinate.

43% germination in 2–7 days.

Dark costs the tall form eighteen points. Deno's 180 cm form.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, SalviaPublic domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)-70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 29, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 7 days to germinate.

43% germination in 2–7 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209Public domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)- 70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

    41%, over 7-12 weeks.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

Germination happens during step 2, in 84 days.

41% germination in 49–84 days.

The tall form germinates cold; the short form barely does at all. Deno's 180 cm form.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, SalviaPublic domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)-70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 8

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1, in 84 days.

41% germination in 49–84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209Public domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)- 70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 9

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

No stated waiting before sowing.

40% germination.

40% outdoors. Deno's 60 cm form.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, SalviaPublic domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)-70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 10

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

No stated waiting before sowing.

40% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209Public domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)- 70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 11

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 12 days to germinate.

31% germination in 2–12 days.

Dark costs the short form fifteen points. Deno's 60 cm form.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, SalviaPublic domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)-70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 12

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 12 days to germinate.

31% germination in 2–12 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209Public domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)- 70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 13

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

No stated waiting before sowing.

27% germination.

27% outdoors, against 40% for the short form. Deno's 180 cm form.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, SalviaPublic domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)-70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 14

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

No stated waiting before sowing.

27% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209Public domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)- 70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 15

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

    1% here.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    A further 2%.

Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

2% germination.

1% in the cold and 2% after it. The short form will not take a cold start. Deno's 60 cm form.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, SalviaPublic domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)-70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 16

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    1 germinated in this phase.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

2% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209Public domain
Show the original text
Salvia (Lamiaceae). S. sclarea (60 cm. form) germ. 70L(46% in 2-12 d), 70D(31% in 2-12 d), 40(1%)- 70(2%), and 40% in outdoor treatment. S. sclarea (180 cm. form) germ. 70L(61% in 2-6 d), 70D(43% in 2-7 d), 40(41% in 7-12 w)-70, and 27% in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Salvia p. 209. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

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