Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea)
Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) is a plant in the annuals and biennials category that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea).
This plant is commonly known as scarlet sage.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 1 year to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: scarlet sage
Scientific name: Salvia coccinea
Plant type: Annual / Biennial
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Wall-side Borders
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) – Carl E Lewis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Annuals and biennials are ideal for formal or informal flower beds, but also for growing in pots and containers of all kinds. They are important plants for their rapid growth, instant color and relatively low cost.
They are also useful plants for filling spaces between newly planted trees and shrubs, as well as in perennial beds that may need to be revived after the first spring bloom.
They are an important ingredient in country house gardens and wildflower meadows.
Other types of Salvia to consider:
See all Salvia
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Salvia coccinea likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) – Vaikoovery, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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