Salvia fruticosa grow and care – subshrub of the genus Salvia also known as Greek sage, Salvia fruticosa perennial evergreen plant grow for the edible leaves also used as fragrant ornamental and medical plant, can grow in mediterranean, desert, subtropical or temperate climate and growing in hardiness zone 10-11, and with the right overwinter care in hardiness zone 9.
Salvia fruticosa edible leaves
Leaves edible in green color and hairy leaf shape 3 lobes 1 big in the middle 2 small on the side, there are to different growth of leaves winter and summer, the winter leaves smaller and thick.
Flower small purple-white that grow on stalk in inflorescence.
Salvia fruticosa for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy
How to grow Salvia fruticosa – growing and care:
Well-drained soil
How to care:
Put mulch especially when grow in full sun and possible to reduce the amount of water, but if there are a lot of rains better to let the soil dry the plants suffer if will be too much moist soil
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed (care instruction bellow) / Vegetative reproduction- possible by bending a branch over and covering it with soil, or by cutting, the cutting possible to put in water and switch the water every few days or put the stem in soil better peat soil and better with root growth hormone, in both cutting methods better to do it in warm spring or in autumn in hardiness zone 10b-11 in half shade
Is it necessary to use vegetative reproduction?
No, but easier to grow
Difficulties or problems when growing:
Sensitive to moist, and water on the leaves
Planting season?
Spring to summer in hardiness zone 9-10a, autumn to spring in hardiness zone 10b-11, but possible all year, in desert to plant in the autumn to winter
Pests and diseases:
Leafhoppers, aphids
Pruning season:
Winter
How to prune:
Dead leaves and stems, when grow it for edible reasons better to prune the bloom stems in order to get better quality of leaves
Size of the plant:
0.3-1 m, 1-3 feet
Growth speed in optimal condition:
Medium growing
Water requirement:
Small amount of water / Average amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full Sun (in cold climate or need to increase the amount of water) / Half Shade / Full shade (in warm climate with light)
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant?
Yes, but require light and might not bloom
Growing is also possible in a pot planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes, when grow in container, size 10-20L (2.6-5.2 gallons), require small to average amount of water with well-drained soil and the water go out of the pot, better not to use bottom of pot, every few years to switch soil can be all or just part of the soil, soil need to be well ventilated and make enough hole in the containers with good drainage, can us in potting mix or peat soil with perlite or vermiculite.
Blooming information
Bloom season:
Spring – summer
General information about the flower
Small purple-white flower that grow on stalk in inflorescence
Pollination is done by:
Bees, flies
Edible leaves
Leaves harvesting season:
Spring to summer in hardiness zone 9-10a, all year in hardiness zone 10b-11
How to harvest the leaves?
Better to cut the stems the after the plant established
Information about leaves:
Hairy green leaf shape 3 lobes 1 big in the middle 2 small on the side, winter and summer leaves are different by the think of the leaves and the size in summer bigger and thinner
Uses of Salvia officinalis leaves:
Herbs, spices, beverage
How to grow Salvia fruticosa flower from seeds
Sowing requirement:
Better to sow it in temperature of 18-25C (64-77F) possible in 15-29C (59-84F) but will take more time to germinate and less seeds will germinate
Saving and care seeds until sowing:
Dry and dark location better in root temperature or refrigerator
Sowing season:
Spring to summer in hardiness zone lower that 10a (include) spring, autumn to winter in hardiness zone 10b+ spring, autumn or winter, and better not to sow it in hot summer days
How to plant:
Plant in sunny location until 25C (77F) above in half shade
Planting spacing:
30*40cm (12*16 inches)
Depth of Sowing:
3-6mm (0.2-0.4 inch)
Conditions for seeds germinate:
Moist soil, humidity, sunny location
Watering requires for Seeds:
Average amount of water, don’t let the soil dry and keep the soil moist
Germination time:
2-3 weeks in optimal condition but can take 5 weeks
Condition of seedling:
Moist soil, sunny location but if it’s in the summer need to increase the amount of water and reduce the amount of sun
Scientific name:
Salvia fruticosa
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Edible Parts |
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Ornamental parts |
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Plant Uses |
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Plants sun exposure |
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Watering plants |
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