Introduction
The Mexican sage is an herbaceous perennial which sends up tufts of gray-green foliage. The upright stems are wooly and support the lanceolate, pubescent leaves. Leaves are soft to the touch. The inflorescence consists of numerous flowers arranged in whorls at each node. Flower color ranges from rose-purple studded with white to a uniform rose-purple. These beautiful flowers appear summer to fall and are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Salvia leucantha
Pronunciation: SAL-vee-uh loo-KANTH-uh
Common name(s): Mexican sage, Mexican salvia, Mexican bush sage
Family: Lamiaceae
Plant type: perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 7 through 11 (Figure 4)
Planting month for zone 7: Jun; Jul
Planting month for zone 8: May; Jun; Jul
Planting month for zone 9: Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Uses: cut flowers; border; edging; mass planting; attracts butterflies; attracts hummingbirds; hanging basket; cascading down a wall
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
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Description
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Plant habit: spreading
Plant density: open
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: whorled
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: serrate
Leaf shape: lanceolate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: semi-evergreen
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: silver/gray
Fall color: not applicable
Fall characteristic: not applicable
Flower
Flower color: rose-purple
Flower characteristic: fall flowering; flower season is longer in zones 9–11
Fruit
Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit cover: unknown
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems
Current year stem/twig color: gray/silver
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; alkaline; sand; loam; clay
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
This perennial is charming when used in the landscape as a specimen in a container or massed together in a landscape bed. The flowers are quite lovely when used in flower arrangements. They last several days as cut flowers.
Mexican sage prefers a bright position in the landscape and a rich, sandy, well-drained soil. It grows best and stays thick with regular watering but will tolerate periods of drought. Cut the plant back and irrigate during the summer if it becomes too leggy. The plant is killed to the ground by freezing temperatures in the northern part of its range.
The Mexican sage can be propagated by cuttings and division.
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern.
Leafspot may be an occasional problem.
