Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina’ is also known as golden sage. Golden sage has the same aromatic and flavor properties of traditional sage but boasts lovely variegated leaves that are a contrast from the grayish leaves of common garden sage. Is golden sage edible? You can harvest leaves from Icterina just as you would garden sage and use them in the same culinary manner, but you get a more eye-appealing foliar display that adds some punch to your herb garden. Learn how to grow a golden sage plant for aroma, flavor, and non-toxic pest control.

Sage is a historic herb with a long tradition of both culinary and medicinal use. Growing golden sage offers all these applications as well as a unique twist on the appearance. Its cream-colored leaves are decorated with an almost lime green patch in the center, which is irregular and varied on each leaf. The overall effect is striking, especially when combined with other herbs.

Golden sage produces a small shrub-like plant that may grow up to 2 feet (0.5 m.) tall and spread nearly twice as wide over time. This sun lover prefers soil slightly on the dry side and is drought tolerant once established. An interesting bit of golden sage information is its relation to the mint family. The aroma is not similar but the slightly fuzzy leaves are characteristic of the family. This sage, like its cousins, is a cultivar of the standard variety, Salvia officinalis. There are several variegated sages, among them Icterina and Aurea, which have more golden tones. Each is edible and useful in many home applications.