This species is sometimes treated as a subspecies of Salvia officinalis (as Salvia officinalis subsp. lavandulifolia (Vahl) Gams)

Common Name: Spanish Sage

General Information

Salvia lavandulifolia is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 30cm tall
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is cultivated for its essential oil on a small scale in Spain, with most of the oil coming from wild sources. It is also grown in gardens for use as a herb and as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southwestern Europe - Spain, southern France; Northwest Africa - Morocco, northern Algeria

Habitat

Dry hills and slopes amongst bushes.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Salvia lavandulifolia grows best in temperate climates with hot summers and mild winters with low winter rainfall. In such conditions it can withstand winter temperatures falling to -10°c for short periods, perhaps even lower. If summers are not hot, or winters are wet, then it is much more likely to succumb to winter cold[, , ].
Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[, ]. Soils rich in nitrogen encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering[].
This species is closely related to the common sage, Salvia officinalis[, ],
The leaves have a pungent lavender scent[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

The aromatic leaves are used as an adulterant for the common sage[, ]. They are used as a substitute for sage in commercial food flavourings[].

A sage-like tea is made from the dried leaves[].

The plant is a source of an essential oil that is used commercially to flavour ice cream, sweets, baked goods, chewing gum, soft drinks etc[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves are alterative, antiseptic, astringent, depurative, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge and tonic[]. They are used internally in the treatment of digestive and respiratory complaints, menstrual problems, infertility, nervous tension and depression[].
This remedy should not be prescribed to pregnant women[].
The leaves can be harvested as required and used fresh, or they can be harvested before the flowers open and dried or distilled for their essential oil[].

Other Uses

The essential oil obtained from the leaves is used in perfumery and to perfume soaps and cosmetics[, ].
The essential oil from the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a perfume and masking agent[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse[]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. In areas where the plant is towards the limits of its hardiness, it is best to grow the plants on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season[].