What hardiness zones is Salvia greggii suitable for?

Salvia greggii is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Salvia greggii?

Salvia greggii requires Full Sun.

How much water does Salvia greggii need?

Salvia greggii has Low water needs.

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Perennials

Salvia greggii

Autumn sage

Lamiaceae

Central and west Texas, northern Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas); rocky limestone hillsides and canyon scrub 4,000–8,000 ft

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitMounding

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height18-30 inches (45-75 cm)

Width18-30 inches (45-75 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Attracts Hummingbirds

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (moderate)

Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

An upright to mounding, semi-woody subshrub in the family Lamiaceae, native to the rocky limestone hillsides, dry scrub, and canyon walls of central and west Texas and adjacent northern Mexico at elevations of 4,000–8,000 feet (1,200–2,400 m). Plants form dense, rounded clumps 18–30 inches (45–75 cm) tall of small, oval to elliptic, leathery, strongly aromatic leaves 0.5–1 inch (1.5–2.5 cm) long on semi-woody stems that are evergreen in mild climates. From spring through fall — with peak flushes in spring and autumn and reduced bloom during the hottest midsummer weeks in hot climates — the plant produces upright racemes of tubular, two-lipped flowers 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long in the typical species scarlet-red, with named cultivars in pink, salmon, coral, cherry red, white, and bicolors. In the Pacific Northwest's cool summers, bloom is nearly continuous May through October. The flowers are intensely attractive to hummingbirds. Hardy to zone 6 with good drainage; root-hardy to zone 5. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to central and west Texas and northern Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas), growing on rocky limestone hillsides, canyon walls, and dry scrub at elevations of 4,000–8,000 feet (1,200–2,400 m) in full sun in well-drained, lean, alkaline soils.

Suggested Uses

Planted in mixed perennial borders, rock gardens, dry scree beds, and hummingbird gardens at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. One of the most reliable long-blooming subshrubs for the Pacific Northwest, with near-continuous bloom in cool summers. Outstanding combined with ornamental grasses, agastache, and late-season asters. Effective as a low-maintenance edging plant or massed ground cover on dry, sunny slopes. Containers (minimum 5-gallon / 19L) overwintered frost-free in zones below 6.

How to Identify

Identified by dense, rounded clumps of small, oval to elliptic, leathery, strongly aromatic leaves 0.5–1 inch (1.5–2.5 cm) long on semi-woody stems, topped with upright racemes of tubular two-lipped flowers 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long typically in scarlet-red (or pink, coral, white in cultivars), from spring through fall. The small, leathery, aromatic leaves, semi-woody stems, and long season of tubular hummingbird-attracting flowers distinguish it from annual salvias and the larger-leaved hardy herbaceous species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'6"

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

red

scarlet

pink

salmon

coral

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~24 weeks

SpringFall

In hot climates (zones 7–9), blooms heavily in spring (April–June) and again in fall (September–November) with reduced flowering during the hottest midsummer weeks. In the Pacific Northwest's cool summers (zones 7–8), blooms nearly continuously from May through October — one of its great advantages in this region. Hummingbird activity at flowering plants is consistently high throughout the season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

scarlet-red in species; cultivars in pink, salmon, coral, cherry red, white, bicolors; tubular two-lipped

Foliage Description

small, oval to elliptic, leathery, dark green, strongly aromatic; semi-woody stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-8 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 Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sandrockychalkloam

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in lean, sharply drained, neutral to alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5–8.0. Excellent drainage is essential — the plant is highly intolerant of wet, poorly drained soils, especially in winter. Thrives in poor, rocky, or gravelly soils; avoid compost-rich or fertile soils that promote soft, frost-tender growth. Drought-tolerant once established. In zone 6, plant against a warm south or west-facing wall and mulch heavily. Shear back by one-half in early spring to stimulate vigorous new growth and best flower production.

Pruning

Shear back all stems by one-half to two-thirds in early spring (March–April) before new growth begins — this annual cutback is essential for compact, floriferous plants. In zones 8–9, an additional light shear in midsummer after the first bloom flush stimulates a stronger fall flush. Remove dead stem sections after winter; semi-woody stems often die back partially in zone 6–7 winters but resprout from the root crown if drainage is good.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic