This sage is a wonderful addition to an herbaceous border planting with its fresh green foliage as a highlight amongst other perennials or fynbos. It will also add texture to a garden bedding display. The Gariep sage is best grown in open ground, but can do well in pots, as young plants, with well drained composted soils.

Young plants are planted out at the end of spring. Salvia garipensis is easily combined with most flowering perennials such as Felicia species, Selago species and Osteospermum jucundum or succulents including Aloe species. They also give good contrast with fynbos species of families such as Restionaceae and Proteaceae as well as Erica species.

The fast growing plants get untidy after 2-3 years and need to be pruned back hard or lifted and replanted. To keep plants looking trim, pinch out new growth to retain a balanced, full-bodied shape. Salvia requires full sun with good drainage. They will survive with little water but respond well to regular watering, especially in summer. No extra feeding is necessary for strong, healthy growth although an occasional foliar feed would do no harm and the plants will tolerate feeding with organic or chemical fertilizers.

Young plants are easy to propagate from seed, cuttings or division of the creeping rootstock.

Sow seeds late in spring and early summer into a general potting soil mix. Seeds germinate quickly and seedlings can be transplanted into well drained potting soil once the first pair of true leaves appears.

Take semi-hardwood tip cuttings in spring and summer. Cuttings must be without a terminal flowering bud. Place in rooting medium: 50% fine-milled bark and 50% polystyrene (perlite, vermiculite and peat are alternatives). Place under mist or enclose in plastic bag to retain humidity. Keep warm but out of direct sunlight.

The hairy and aromatic leaves of the plants do not have any major pest, but mealy bug can settle down near the base of the stems and leaves.