Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens)

Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) is a plant in the annuals and biennials category that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens).

This plant has several common names including: scarlet sage, bonfire flower, firecrackers or globe of fire.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 1-2 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: scarlet sage, bonfire flower, firecrackers, globe of fire
Scientific name: Salvia splendens
Plant type: Annual / Biennial
Habit: Bushy
Height: 10cm – 50cm
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, Hedging & Screens, Wall-side Borders
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators

Seasonal colors

How to plant Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) – André Karwath aka Aka, CC BY-SA 2.5, 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.

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.

• 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.

• 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 splendens likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.

Sunlight

Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) – James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons