What is Salvia?
Salvias, or sage, which are members of the mint family, appear as a colourful spike of densely packed flowers with tubular blossoms atop square stems and velvety leaves.
Salvia species include herbaceous plants that are annual, biennial, or perennial, as well as woody subshrubs. Like other Lamiaceae members, the Salvia stems are typically angled. The Salvia leaves are usually entire, but they can be toothed or pinnately divided. The Salvia flowering stems, unlike the basal leaves, bear small bracts; in some species, the bracts are ornamental and showy.
The Salvia flowers appear in racemes or panicles and produce a showy display with flower colours ranging from blue to red, with white and yellow being less common.
See also: What is mint and what are its numerous benefits?
Salvia: Quick facts
| Species Name | Salvia |
| Family Name | Lamiaceae |
| Common Name | Sage |
| Height | 5-6 feet tall |
| Subfamily Name | Nepetoideae |
| Distribution Range | Eastern Asia, South America, Central America, Central Asia |
| Uses | The active component of salvia, salvinorin A, is one of the most potent naturally occurring psychoactive substances. |
| Environmental Impact | Positive |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Growing Season | Spring |
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Salvia: Popular varieties
Salvia elegans
The fragrance of crushed Salvia flowers and foliage gives pineapple sage its common name. The sage grows in clumps, 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with green, ovate, hairy-feeling leaves.
Salvia confertiflora
Salvia is a tender perennial with dark green leaves that are lance-shaped and scalloped. When bruised, they emit an unpleasant odour that is pungently scented. Slender spikes of small scarlet-orange flowers rise above the foliage from midsummer to frost.
Salvia red
Despite the official common name of scarlet sage, many people simply call the plant red Salvia. Each summer, its brilliant red, upright blossoms fill garden beds and patio pots.
Salvia farinacea
Also known as mealycup sage or Victoria blue Salvia. Mealycup sage, like other Salvias, has fragrant, lance-shaped leaves and spikes of colourful lobed flowers.
Salvia columbariae
Salvia columbariae is a stunning annual that blooms in early spring to early summer with one or more round clusters packed with tiny, vivid-blue flowers. Each cluster is born along highly vertical, square stems and includes one to several dozen two-lipped flowers.
Salvia apiana
It is also known as white sage and may be identified by its long flower stalks rising above the foliage bearing white blooms with a lavender tint. This shrubby sage grows to be 2-4 feet tall and is best suited for sunny, dry areas with good drainage.
Salvia Love and Wishes
Salvia ‘love and wishes’ is a tall sage with showy spikes of bright reddish-purple flowers emerging from papery, dark burgundy bracts. From late spring till frost, the flowers rise on thick, dark stalks, far above the glossy, deep-green foliage.
Salvia Amistad
Salvia ‘Amistad’ has huge, vibrant royal purple blooms and nearly black calyces. It is an erect, bushy Salvia. The flowers, which bloom continuously from early summer to frost, attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Salvia Azure Snow
Salvia ‘Azure Snow,’ a lovely upright Salvia with unique bicoloured flowering spikes of deep violet-blue and white flowers, is ideal for small spaces. Blooming from late spring to early summer, the blossoms are densely arranged in whorls around the stems.
Salvia dorrii
Salvia dorrii is a woody evergreen Salvia with narrowly lance-shaped, silvery grey, aromatic leaves on a square stem and spectacular deep blue-violet flower spikes that bloom from late spring to mid-summer.
How to grow Salvia?
When it comes to propagating Salvia, the most common methods are cuttings or division. They are also commonly purchased as transplants from local garden centres.
Transplants
Salvia is usually available and ready to plant at local nurseries or garden centres. There are many varieties of perennial as well as annual Salvia, so when purchasing, double-check plant labels for variety and hardiness.
Because they are so established, perennials found as transplants at nurseries are generally well-rooted and frequently root-bound. Simply break up the root ball before planting to ensure the plant adapts and establishes healthy root growth in its new location.
Division
Salvia will become well established in the first year if planted in the proper location and cared for properly. It will begin to grow wider and even form new plant shoots in a small clumpy habit after several seasons of growth.
These new shoots can be divided and grown in other places, or they can be given away! Allow your Salvia plant to grow for at least 2 to 3 years before dividing it to ensure that it is well established and adapted to its new location.
Cuttings
Salvia can be propagated from cuttings, but this requires more time and resources. During the growing season, cuttings can be taken from a well-established, healthy plant. Simply take a cutting from a healthy, non-flowering stem.
How to maintain salvia?
Sunlight
Salvia requires full sun to thrive and consistently produce blooms. This means they will need to be exposed to sunlight for at least 6-8 hours per day. This consistent amount of sunlight will keep your Salvia producing flowers all season.
It can grow in areas with less sunlight at higher altitudes or in warmer climates. They will, however, grow best in full sun in these climates.
Location
Salvia should be planted in an area with at least one foot of space on either side, and it thrives when given up to two or three feet. Because it does not spread, it is an excellent choice for landscapes, cottage gardens, and even patio planters. When planting in a pot or patio container, give the plant at least one foot of space to grow.
Water
Water your plants after they’ve been transplanted. Frequent watering will help the plants establish themselves during the first few weeks after transplanting.
Soil
Salvia is not picky about soil, but it prefers well-draining, fertile, loamy soil. They can live in rocky and sandy soils but struggle in clay soils.
Clay absorbs moisture and does not like to be wet for long periods of time. If your soil is heavy clay, you may need to amend it before planting. Clay soils will benefit from amendments such as compost, manure, and mulch.
Temperature and climate
After the dangers of frost have passed, Salvia can be planted. They thrive in warm weather and will benefit from planting in the spring. Planting them in the spring or early summer will give them enough time to establish themselves before the winter months arrive.
Fertiliser
Salvia prefers organic matter and compost as fertiliser. Salvia is not a heavy feeder, so it does not require a lot of fertiliser. If you amend your soil with compost or other organic matter before planting, you will have enough food for the first season. The seasons that follow should have at least one fertilisation per season.
Pruning
Salvia is a herbaceous plant, so it will not require much pruning, but it will benefit from consistent deadheading throughout the season. The majority of varieties bloom from early spring to late autumn.
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Salvia: Uses
Anti-inflammatory properties
Sage has excellent anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to treat throat inflammations when used as a gargle. Sage tea, when gargled, is extremely effective in treating throat inflammations.
For memory
Sage’s ability to improve brain function and memory is another wonderful application. Regular consumption of sage tea significantly improves memory.
Sage for menopausal hot flushes
Sage has long been used as a remedy for hot flushes, and this traditional remedy has been supported by research. While sage tincture was used in the study, sage tea provides the same benefits.
Hair care
Sage is great for hair because it promotes new hair growth, prevents premature greying, and makes hair more manageable.
Diabetes
Sage tea is an excellent treatment for people who are predisposed to type 2 diabetes. Regularly consuming sage for two weeks reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes significantly because it helps lower plasma glucose.
Mood enhancement
A cup of sage tea might help us feel calmer and happier. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed out, consider drinking a cup of sage tea every day for a few days.
FAQs
Is it safe to consume Salvia?
Yes, Salvia is considered safe, but it has not been thoroughly researched. That means that potential side effects and risks to your health may not be fully understood.
What effects does Salvia have on your body?
Although your brain will be affected the most, some physical effects are possible. These include nausea, dizziness, possible loss of motor function and coordination, and an irregular heart rate.
Are there any dosage recommendations?
The amount of Salvia that is safe to consume is determined by the type of Salvia used. The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) recommends not exceeding 500 micrograms (0.0005 grammes).
Is Salvia safe for dogs?
The Salvia genus as a whole is not classified as poisonous or non-toxic to dogs anywhere. Salvia splendens red sage cultivars, on the other hand, have a reputation for being particularly hazardous to dogs when consumed in big amounts.