Mexican Bush Sage

Mexican Bush Sage Care

Salvia Leucantha

What is the plant

Mexican bush sage, or Salvia leucantha, is an evergreen shrubby perennial that's prized for its dense, arching spikes and ability to produce an attractive late summer bloom of showy flowers.The plant feels soft and hairy to the touch, and the bi-color blooms include white corollas and purple calyces. In the fall, you can expect to see lovely cascades of velvety purple flowers that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators and wildlife.The Mexican bush sage makes an excellent companion plant for mixed beds and gardens, and it also makes gorgeous, long-lasting additions to floral arrangements.Native to Central America and Mexico, it can be grown as an annual that typically rises to about two to three feet tall within one growing season. The Mexican bush sage's flowers are about ten inches long and extend above its soft green foliage, which has a slight silvery tint. Its gray-green leaves have a velvet-like texture and grown on pairs on square stems.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

8 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Though these plants are drought-tolerant, Salvia leucantha does require adequate water during hot summers, and be sure to water the shrub weekly during its initial growing season to help it develop strong roots.
Pruning
You can shear the plant two or three times during the spring and summer months to promote a denser, more compact growth and heavier bloom. Shear it to the ground in the winter to ensure that it grows back quickly into a full bush with lots of flowers. Flowers should be deadheaded once they fade to keep the blooms coming.
Fertilizer
You can feed the Mexican bush sage a general-purpose, 12-12-12 fertilizer each year before its new shoots emerge in the spring. Just be sure to apply the fertilizer at the manufacturer's recommended rate.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Though the Mexican bush sage prefers full sun, it can tolerate light shade--however, your plant may not be as full and lush.
Soil
These plants require heavier soils than some of the other related salvia plants, which means it is not prone to rot in heavy soil.
Temperature
Salvia leucantha is a warm-weather plant that is considered a late bloomer, as it comes to life at the end of summer and into the early fall. It can tolerate drought and is suitable for warmer climates.In colder winter climates, the Mexican bush sage makes for a bold and unique summer container plant for overwintering indoors.