How to Germinate Russian Sage

Fill 4-inch starter pots with a mixture of equal parts potting soil and medium-grit sand. Leave 1/4 inch of space between the soil and the lip of the pot.

Pour 1/4 cup of water into each pot to saturate the soil. Let the water drain for a few minutes before you sow the Russian sage seeds.

Sow two Russian sage seeds in each pot. Place the seeds on the surface of the soil. Lightly press the seeds to anchor them. Sprinkle a scant layer of potting soil over the seeds, but do not completely bury them, since they require light to germinate.

Place the starter pots inside a refrigerator set to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the pots inside the refrigerator for two to four weeks to cold stratify them.

Remove the starter pots from the refrigerator after the cold stratification period. Move them to a warm, sunny spot where temperatures stay around 65 F at all times, such as indoors near a large window.

Mist the Russian sage seeds whenever the surface of the soil feels dry. Use a spray bottle or plant mister to water the seeds, which will provide light to moderate moisture without making the soil soggy.

Watch for germination in four to six weeks. Remove the weaker of the two Russian sage seedlings from each pot once they grow to 1 inch in height and put on a set of mature leaves.

Move the pots outdoors once the Russian sage seedlings grow to 2 inches in height. Place the pots in a sheltered spot to acclimate the seedlings to normal outdoor conditions.

Transplant the seedlings into a sunny bed with good drainage two weeks after you move them outdoors. Space the seedlings 18 inches apart.