Fire sage, Salvia splendens: care from A to Z

The fire sage impresses with its bright colors and panicle-shaped flowers, but it also needs the right care and factors. We show what is important.

Characteristics

• comes from Brazil
• an average of 20 to 30 centimeters high
• panicled flowers
• available in different colors
• Growth habit is compact

Location

The fire sage needs a sunny, sheltered location. Although it also thrives in partial shade or shade, it does not then reach its full flowering potential. The flower color can also be paler.

It is also important to protect against:

• hail
• heavy rain
• wind

The south and east side prove to be optimal, close to a house wall, wall or fence. Larger plants that do not provide too much shade but absorb stronger winds can also be useful.

substrate

Choosing the substrate for Salvia splendens is extremely easy, because normal potting soil or fresh garden soil is sufficient. The substrate should still meet some requirements. Below:

• good water retention
• no tendency to compaction and waterlogging
• loose consistency
• moderate nutrient content

Pour

Salvia don't need a lot of water, but they are sensitive to waterlogging. This means that the substrate can be kept slightly moist at all times, but drying out is easily tolerated, at least for a short time.

Fertilize

The fire sage does not require large amounts of nutrients, but regular fertilization can increase the flowering power. It is therefore advisable to supply nutrients, especially in the case of perennial culture in the tub.
A simple fertilizer for flowering plants is suitable. This should be added to the irrigation water once a week, but no more than half a dose.

waste

A blend is not absolutely necessary with the Salvia splendens, but it has some advantages. Blending is recommended in the following cases:

• right after the flowers wither
• for damaged plant parts
• during new sprouting in spring

By directly removing the dried flowers, a further flowering phase can be stimulated. Cutting off withered or otherwise damaged plant parts, on the other hand, reduces the susceptibility to pests and diseases. A blend during sprouting ensures that the plant grows particularly dense and voluminous.

Propagation by seeds

The propagation of seeds is extremely easy with the Salvia. The seeds can be sown or brought forward as early as February. The following steps are useful for this:

choose substrate

Potting soil, herbal soil or a simple standard soil are perfectly sufficient for germination. The substrate should be slightly damp but not wet.

sowing

The seeds are lightly pressed into the soil about five centimeters apart. It is then sufficient to cover the seed with a layer of about three millimeters of substrate.

humidification

For moistening, the soil can be carefully poured with low-lime water or sprayed with it.

Location

A bright location without blazing sun is optimal for germination. The temperature should be around 20 degrees Celsius.

cover

With a glass plate, a transparent film or a greenhouse, the soil is kept slightly moist without frequent watering and germination is encouraged. However, the chosen cover should be aired daily to avoid the formation of mold.

After about one to two weeks, the first shoots should be visible. When these are about five centimeters high, pricking can take place. The plants are removed individually and placed in larger containers. Especially weakly growing Salvia can be removed directly.

Propagation by shoot tips

Another way of propagating fire sage is to obtain shoot tips. These can be cut off with clean, sharp scissors.

They are then plugged into potting soil or simple garden soil. This should also be kept slightly moist at all times. The planter must be bright and warm.

tub culture

Salvia splendens can also be grown wonderfully in a bucket. This has the advantage that the plant, which is otherwise cultivated as an annual, can be easily overwintered and preserved for several years. However, a few points must be observed in order to keep the plant strong and to avoid diseases and pest infestation.

This includes:

• Insertion of a drainage layer
• more frequent watering
• annual repotting
• safe and secure location
• stable planter
• weekly fertilizing

Since the plant has less substrate available, the stores for liquid and nutrients are also lower. At the same time, care must be taken to avoid waterlogging.

wintering

Although the fire sage with the eye-catching flowers is usually only cultivated outdoors for one year, Salvia splendens is a perennial plant. However, it is not winter hardy.

Nevertheless, hibernation is extremely easy, especially when cultured in a bucket. Only the following factors need to be considered:

• as bright a location as possible
• allow the upper substrate layer to dry thoroughly between waterings
• Regular checks for diseases and pests
• Temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius

In addition, care should be taken to ensure that fertilization is stopped by September at the latest. This allows the plant to prepare accordingly for winter dormancy. Waterlogging is urgently to be avoided.

Pests, diseases, care mistakes

Pests are not to be expected with the flowering sage. However, rot and mold are just as common as other fungi. These are usually due to care errors. These include, among others:

• wrong location
• lack of drainage
• dammed water
• inferior earth
• Do not remove withered plant parts
• Use of hard water
• too frequent watering

Whenever excessively wilted plant parts appear, the soil smells unpleasant or changes color, the care conditions should be checked carefully. Because problems with the plant often arise due to deficiencies in the culture and can therefore often be easily remedied.

Learn more about perennials