Salvia splendens

Salvia splendens, more commonly known as scarlet sage, is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family and a native of Brazil.  Prized for their exquisite blooms, scarlet sage produces towering racemes that are densely covered in tubular, two-lipped scarlet blooms.  Though the red flowered variety is the most common, others are capable of growing white, salmon, pink, purple, lavender, burgundy, and orange flowers as well.  Heart-shaped, light green leaves with a wrinkly texture grow in a bushy habit, comprising the bulk of the plant's body, and clearly indicate scarlet sage as a relative to mint plants.  Mammalian pests like rabbits and deer steer clear of the plants due to a fragrance emitted by the foliage, which can help to keep nuisance animals away from the other plants in your garden.  Additionally, the long-lasting blooms are an excellent source of nectar for pollinators and often attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  

Growing more vigorously in proportion to the amount of sunlight they receive, provide scarlet sage with a location that remains brightly lit for at least six hours a day to encourage better blooming.  Well-draining, loamy soils rich in organic matter are ideal for growing scarlet sage, and are further improved with a top layer of sandy soil to reduce water loss.  Water scarlet sage once every 7–10 days in the absence of rain or when the top two inches of soil have dried out.  Temperature consistency is key to maintaining healthy scarlet sage plants, though they cannot tolerate frost and do poorly in cold climates for prolonged periods.  Scarlet sage are not heavy feeders, and only need a single springtime feeding with a balanced annual flower fertilizer.  Learn more in the Plant Story community!  

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water sparingly, allowing the mix to nearly dry out between watering.

Salvia Splendens

Salvia splendens

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