Mexican Bush Sage Care How To Plant Mexican Bush Sage

Mexican Bush Sage Care To plant, choose a well-draining location that receives full sun. The soil should be nutrient rich and maintain balanced moisture levels throughout the growing season. Like many other salvias, Mexican bush sage does well in water-wise and xeriscape plantings.

Does Mexican sage spread?

Mexican Bush Sage will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. ... This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water.

How do you grow Mexican sage?

It likes full sun to produce its magnificent color, but tolerates light shade. Provide supplemental irrigation throughout the growing season, but allow the plant to dry out between each watering. It does not like to be over-watered. Mexican sage prefers well-draining, slightly alkaline soils.

Should I prune Mexican sage?

Prune sparingly and don't remove too much growth. Mexican sage also benefits from hard pruning after it dies back with the frost, but timing depends on the local climate. ... In warmer climates, the University of Florida IFAS Extension recommends cutting back the plant as soon as it dies back with the frost in autumn.

Is Mexican bush sage a perennial?

Velvet sage, also called Mexican bush sage is a perennial in the Lamiaceae family. It is a relative garden newcomer but is seen today gracing the late summer garden across the state.

Will Mexican sage grow in shade?

Though the Mexican bush sage prefers full sun, it can tolerate light shade--however, your plant may not be as full and lush.

Is Mexican sage invasive?

It has the potential to be invasive but is pretty easy to weed out; I have kept it confined to its original space. In my first few years I had an infestation of spit bugs which favored this bush (though they used others) for their eggs.

Is Mexican sage poisonous?

Mexican sage is not inherently toxic and shouldn't cause too many issues whilst burning to your health BUT due to its lower aromatic qualities there's a temptation to burn more of it which I would avoid, as previously stated all salvias are at least mildly toxic and you should avoid overdose.

What grows well with Mexican sage?

In addition to the Mexican sunflower, marigolds, lantanas, chrysanthemums, angel trumpets and other salvias make great companion plants. You will find the Mexican bush sage easy to propagate by division with the emergence of spring growth or by cutting.

What can I make with Mexican sage?

The main uses of Mexican bush sage are as a landscaping plant and as a cutflower for dried or fresh flower arrangements.

What is Mexican sage good for?

Improving Health. A traditional benefit of sage was to take it as a warm tea to stimulate digestion, prevent the flu, and relieve pain in the joints. It helps to control our digestion of fats and allows us to use fluid in our bodies better. When there is dryness, sage can increase moisture.

How tall does Mexican sage get?

However, a happy Mexican bush sage can grow up to 4 feet tall and about as wide, so place it in a spot where it won't bully other plants.

Should Salvias be cut back?

These salvias are very simple to prune. When they're through flowering, simply cut those stems all the way down to the ground. It needs to be done once or twice a year. They will still flower if you don't but you'll get more blooms and the plant will look 100% better if you do.

Are lavender and sage related?

How do sage and lavender differ? Sage and lavender are both members of the Lamiaceae family, which makes them both relatives of mint. ... Unlike lavender and most other herbs, you can usually get sage in one of three forms: the fresh form and two dried forms.

How often do you water Mexican sage?

As a general rule, water Mexican sage every two weeks during periods of drought with little or no rainfall. Do not water the Mexican sage unless soil 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface feels completely dry to the touch. Apply water slowly and evenly over the ground around the sage and moisten the top 1 foot of soil.

Can Mexican sage be used in cooking?

First in line is the Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) with its purple and white flowers (so rich and velvety that you are tempted to pet them). ... Its fragrance, although distinctly that of sage, is milder than that of most other varieties. Strictly an ornamental plant, the leaves are not used for cooking.

Why is my purple sage not flowering?

If your Purple Sage doesn't get enough sun, they won't produce such impressive blooms, and they can be more prone to scale or problems with aphids or mealybugs.

Is Mexican sage drought tolerant?

Care for Mexican Sage

Make sure the soil is moist, well-drained and rich in organic material that has a neutral or alkaline pH level. Minimal watering is required, and the shrub is drought tolerant, although it will bloom better with consistently moist soil.

Why is my sage wilting?

The reason for sage plants wilting or drooping can be because of over watering, fungal disease, too much fertilizer or under watering. Sage is a drought resistant plant and sensitive to too much moisture around the roots so over watering is the most common cause of a sage plant wilting.

How do you divide Mexican sage?

Remove some of the soil near the root crown so you can inspect the plant to figure out the sections or clumps. Use a serrated knife when dividing salvia. Split your salvia in between the sections. It is essential that you keep the salvia segment evenly moist but not boggy after dividing and replanting.

Is Sage poisonous to humans?

Some species of sage, such as common sage (Salvia officinalis), contain a chemical called thujone. Thujone can be poisonous if you take too much. This chemical can cause seizures and damage the liver and nervous system.