Mexican Sage | Salvia Leucantha Care Guide

October 19, 2021October 20, 2021 by Succulents Pal

The Mexican Sage is a widely grown garden plant and is a popular ornamental plant found in most parts of the world.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer for more info.

Mexican Sage is native to Mexico and has been used by the Aztecs as a medicinal plant. The leaves were also used to make an aromatic tea that was believed to have medicinal properties. Salvia leucantha was used in religious ceremonies and has a long history of use as a medicinal herb by the native Americans. The stems and leaves were used as a diuretic, and the leaves were also used to treat toothache, edema, and as a poultice to treat wounds. The leaves are also used to treat mouth ulcers and as an astringent. The flowers can be used to treat fever, rheumatism, and skin infections.

It is a great choice for people wanting to create perennial plantings that will endure all year.

Table of contents

Mexican Sage (Salvia Leucantha)

The Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) is a perennial blooming plant with greenish silver foliage.

Though it can reach sizes up to 4 feet (1.2 m.) in both height and width in native growing zones, these plants will be much smaller when grown as an annual. Regardless, gardeners will be rewarded with vibrant red-purple flowers in late summer and early fall. Learning how and when to plant Mexican sage is relatively simple.

Mexican Sage is a very popular ornamental plant and is used in many types of ornamental plantings. The plant is used in borders, as a ground cover, in groundcovers, in rock gardens, in containers, and is also used as a specimen plant. Mexican Sage has a short-lived perennial life span. The plant is not self-sustaining, so it should be regularly propagated by cutting off new growth or by seed.

Check it on Amazon.

Mexican Sage care guide

Mexican Sage is not very hardy, so it should be planted in a location that is sheltered from the cold and wind. The plant prefers a partially shaded location and should be planted in well-drained soil. The plant is drought resistant and can tolerate dry soil conditions. Salvia Leucantha should be watered thoroughly, and then the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. The plant should be fertilized twice a year with a balanced fertilizer. Mexican Sage is grown from cuttings, and seeds are not used for propagation.

Mexican Sage is not highly susceptible to disease and does not have any serious pest problems. The plant should be inspected regularly for pests and should be treated if any appear. Mexican Sage should be pruned to keep it from becoming overgrown and to keep it to a uniform height. The plant can be used as a hedge and can also be clipped into a formal hedge shape or allowed to grow in a free-flowing shape. The plant can also be pruned to keep it at a specific height.

Therefore, the plant can be grown in most parts of the United States. Mexican Sage is also highly tolerant of drought conditions and can be grown in a wide range of soil conditions and light conditions. It is also tolerant of many soil conditions and can be grown in acidic, neutral, or alkaline soils. Mexican Sage is tolerant of many soil conditions and can be grown in wet or dry soils. The plant is tolerant of many soil conditions and can be grown in a wide range of soil pH levels.

Soil

Mexican sage plants need soil that drains well and will not stay too wet or sit in water. They like soils that are rich with organic material, which also aids the drainage.

Planting time

Planting at the beginning of summer or just before is recommended for optimal growth.

Fertilization

If grown as an annual, fertilize at least twice a year with a fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen.

Watering needs

Water during dry periods thoroughly, but let the soil dry between watering. The plant can tolerate drought conditions and does not need regular irrigation. Check this post to learn how often to water succulents.

Sunlight

Mexican sage plants do best if they receive partial sunlight or full sun. The amount of lighting will affect the plant’s growth.

Toxicity

Mexican Sage plants can cause skin irritation to some people, so it is wise to wear gloves while working with them and to avoid touching your eyes until after you have thoroughly hand washed. Salvia leucantha has been used in religious ceremonies because of its hallucinogenic properties, so it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Related posts:

Mexican Sage propagating methods

Mexican Sage is propagated by cuttings.

Take a cutting of the plant with at least 3 nodes, use sharp pruning shears, and remove any leaves or flowers from the lower part of the stem. Make sure to sanitize your tools before you begin. Remove all leaves except for the top two and set the cutting in a glass of water. Keep the cutting out of direct sunlight and apply rooting hormone to the stem. Once the roots reach an inch long, plant them in potting soil or peat moss mix and keep them indoors for another 2-3 weeks to ensure growth.

Repotting

Mexican Sage can be successfully repotted throughout its life. To repot the plant, make sure the soil is dry and then gently remove it from its pot. Break up the roots and remove any dead growth or tangled roots. Place in a new pot (preferably clay) with fresh soil, making sure that there are proper drainage holes in the bottom of the pots. Water thoroughly but allow the topsoil to dry before watering again. Follow steps in this post to repot the plan successfully: How to Repot Succulents| Repotting Succulents Guide.

Conclusion

Mexican Sage is a popular ornamental plant that can be grown in most parts of the world. I hope you find this post both informative and useful.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If this article helped you at all, please let me know in the comments below.