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Salvia

sages

Worldwide (Americas, Eurasia, Africa)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–10

Overview

Salvia spp. is the largest genus in the mint family, Lamiaceae, with roughly 900 to 1,000 species of annuals, biennials, perennials, and soft-wooded shrubs distributed across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Plants share the square stems and opposite, often aromatic leaves of the mint family, with foliage ranging from 2 to 20 cm (0.8 to 8 in) long. The two-lipped flowers are carried in whorls along upright spikes and span blue, violet, purple, red, pink, white, and yellow, each 1–5 cm (0.4–2 in) long. A hinged stamen mechanism levers pollen onto visiting bees and, in red-flowered American species, hummingbirds. Plants range from the 30 cm (12 in) culinary sage S. officinalis to shrubby species over 2 m (6.5 ft) tall. Many species carry aromatic oils in the foliage that deter browsing animals. Flowering is long, often repeating from early summer to frost as old spikes are removed. Most species are short-lived and tender, and many grown as perennials in mild regions are treated as annuals where winters are cold.

Native Range

The genus is nearly cosmopolitan, with three main centers of diversity: Central and South America, central Asia and the Mediterranean, and eastern Asia. Species occupy habitats from dry hillsides to moist meadows across these regions.

Suggested Uses

Used in borders, herb gardens, gravel and Mediterranean plantings, and containers, where the upright flower spikes draw bees and hummingbirds. Culinary species are grown for seasoning, and aromatic types for their scented foliage. The need for sharp drainage limits use in heavy, wet soils.

How to Identify

Recognized by square stems, opposite aromatic leaves, and two-lipped flowers held in whorls along vertical spikes. The hooded upper lip and the hinged stamens that tap pollen onto visitors are characteristic of the genus. Crushed foliage of most species is strongly scented.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 6'

Width/Spread1' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering spans late spring through autumn, with many species blooming from June until the first frost. Removing spent spikes prompts repeated flushes through the season. Bloom is heaviest in warm weather and may slow during cool spells.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blue, violet, purple, red, pink, white, or yellow

Foliage Description

green to gray-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand chalk rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most species grow in full sun and sharply drained soil, tolerating a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and lean ground. Established plants withstand drought, and many rot in wet winter soils through crown decay. Mediterranean and shrubby species are hardy only to USDA zones 7–10, while some herbaceous species reach zone 4. Tender species are grown as annuals or lifted over winter in cold regions. Light feeding keeps growth balanced, as rich soil produces lax stems. Cutting plants back after the first bloom maintains form and flowering.

Pruning

Shearing spent flower spikes through the season prolongs bloom and tidies the plant. Cutting woody species back by a third in spring, once new growth appears, removes winter-damaged stems. Hard pruning into old bare wood often fails to resprout.

Pruning Schedule

early springsummer