Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Salvia mexicana or Mexican sage

The genus Salvia, family Lamiaceae, comprises 1,000 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants native to Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean region, and Central and South America. Some species are: Salvia mexicana, Salvia mellifera, Salvia leucantha, Salvia lanceolata, Salvia guaranitica, Salvia greggii, Salvia farinacea, Salvia disermas, Salvia canariensis, Salvia aurea, Salvia apiana, Salvia africana, Salvia scabra, Salvia namaensis, Salvia microphylla, Salvia splendens, Salvia vaseyi, Salvia leucophylla, Salvia sclarea, Salvia nemorosa, Salvia officinalis, Salvia fruticosa, Salvia elegans.

Common name: Mexican sage. This species is native to Mexico.

They are fast-growing evergreen shrubs (they can lose leaves in the cold) that reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in height. The leaves are quite large, opposite, dark green on the upper side and lighter on the underside, with a serrated margin. The showy tubular flowers appear on 30 cm (11.8") long spikes and are purplish-blue in color. They bloom from mid-summer to mid-fall.

They are used in bushy groups, in informal hedges and as isolated specimens. They are ideal for areas with tropical and subtropical climates.

Mexican Salvia grows in full sun or semi-shade exposures but protected from the wind and cold; they resist weak and occasional frosts.

They can grow in clay soils but prefer a mix of 50% garden soil, 25% compost and 25% coarse sand.

Water frequently so that the soil does not dry out completely but without waterlogging. In winter reduce watering.

Fertilize with manure or compost in late winter and with mineral fertilizer every 30 days in spring and summer.

Prune lightly in late fall or early winter to strengthen the plant.

They are quite resistant plants to pests and diseases but can be attacked by aphids and spider mites in case of prolonged drought.

They are propagated from seeds sown in spring or by cuttings also in spring.

Images of the shrub Salvia mexicana or Mexican sage