Scarlet, Sage Seed

Scarlet Sage Seed

Scarlet flower spikes bloom from summer until frost
Hummingbirds repeatedly visit the vivid tubular blossoms
Trimming encourages another strong flush
Perennial in warm regions and annual elsewhere

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Salvia coccinea

Days to maturity

80 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

50 Seeds

About Scarlet, Sage Seed, Sage Seed

Head turning red blooms that make a beautiful display! Scarlet Sage is a perennial in Southern states and an annual in Northern climates. Blooms appear continuously from early summer to first frost. Trim them back and a new flush of blooms will appear. Hummingbirds cannot leave these magnificent blooms alone.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

7–14 days

In-row plant spacing

30"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

36 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

17,250

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

For Sage, select a full-sun site with light, well-drained soil and good air circulation. Loosen compacted ground and incorporate only modest compost, since overly rich or wet soil can weaken sage growth and flavor. Prepare a clean, fine seedbed or a freely draining container mix, and avoid fresh manure.

Planting

Sage may be started indoors 6–10 weeks before the last frost; types that dislike root disturbance are better direct-sown after conditions become suitable. Keep the medium lightly and consistently moist until emergence, never saturated. Space sage 18–24 inches apart.

Watering

Sage prefers moderate to dry conditions once established. Irrigate thoroughly during extended drought, allowing substantial surface drying between applications and preventing water from collecting around the crown.

Fertilizer

Sage is a light feeder. Apply only a small amount of balanced fertilizer during active growth, since rich feeding produces soft stems and less concentrated fragrance or flavor.

Harvesting

Clip sage during the cool morning when foliage is dry and aromatic oils are concentrated. Harvest leaves before full bloom, leaving enough healthy growth for the plant to recover.

Tips

Grow extra sage plants for succession harvests and pinch stems above leaf nodes. Allow a few flowers for pollinators or seed, but remove the rest to preserve leaf quality.

Pests & Diseases

Sage may develop powdery mildew, rust, leaf spots, and Phytophthora or Pythium root rot. Thin woody plants and keep crowns dry through winter. Remove rusted leaves from culinary harvests. Persistent wilt in wet soil usually requires disposal and replanting in a better-drained location.

Monitor sage for aphids, mites, whiteflies, leafminers, and slugs. Remove badly infested stems, maintain weed control, and select treatments labeled for edible herbs when intervention is necessary.