Scarlet Sage
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Also known as Scarlet Sage, Tropical Sage, Blood Sage, Red Sage, Indian Fire
Scarlet sage is a plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae) originally from Mexico and the southeastern regions of the United States. It is a perennial plant in warmer climates, but it grows annually in areas where winter temperatures fall below freezing. The plant's genus name, Salvia, is derived from the Latin term "salvo," which means "be well" and refers to its medicinal properties.
Scarlet sage flourishes best in sandy and fertile soil from full sun to partial shade. However, it can also tolerate clay soil if the drainage is good. The plant can grow up to 1 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2.5 feet in width. Although it can withstand drought, it blooms abundantly when watered during dry spells. Scarlet sage is also prone to self-seeding.
The bright red flowers grow to an inch long and are loosely arranged in whorls along the upright stem. They bloom continuously from early summer until the first frost and are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
Scarlet sage resembles pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) with edible flowers. However, it is essential to note that the flowers of scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) are NOT edible. To differentiate between the two, crush a flower and smell it. If it smells like sage or grass, it is scarlet sage, which is not edible. If it smells like pineapple, it is edible.
Height: 2’-3’
Spread: 1’-2’
Bloom: June-November
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Zone: 8, 9, 10, 11
Origin: Texas
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
