Garip Sage (Salvia garipensis)

Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist

Garip Sage Plant Care

Salvia garipensis E.Mey. ex Benth.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This unique plant from Brazil features striking variegated leaves with a mix of green and purple hues. Salvia garipensis is highly sought after by plant collectors for its vibrant coloration and unusual foliage pattern. Originating in the tropical regions of Brazil, this species thrives in warm, humid climates and adds a pop of color to any plant collection.

🌿Shrubs🌱Herbs🌼Perennials
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Garip Sage?

Plant Garip Sage in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 9b–11b) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Garip Sage Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Garip Sage?

Garip Sage (Salvia garipensis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Salvia genus. Garip Sage is native to Namibia and South Africa′s Northern Cape province. Garip Sage is also known as Garipensis Sage, Purple Tropical Sage.

Garip Sage displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Garip Sage produces colorful spikes of tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or red.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Garip Sage?

Water a young or newly planted Garip Sage every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Garip Sage Need?

Garip Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Garip Sage Prefer?

Salvia garipensis tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Garip Sage prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Garip Sage?

Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Garip Sage to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Garip Sage?

Feed Garip Sage every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Garip Sage?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Garip Sage is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Garip Sage?

Garip Sage can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Garip Sage?

Prune Garip Sage while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Garip Sage in Winter?

Garip Sage is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Garip Sage?

Garip Sage can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sage plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Garip Sage Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Garip Sage, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Garip Sage?

Garip Sage is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Garip Sage Need?

Garip Sage grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Garip Sage is native to Namibia and South Africa′s Northern Cape province. In cooler regions, grow Garip Sage as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 9b – 11b

Keep exploring plants

Garip Sage is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Salvia genus — compare its care with other Salvia species on PlantoScan.

Salvia is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.

Garip Sage thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Salvia Species

Other Salvia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Salvia garipensis E.Mey. ex Benth., family Lamiaceae — World Flora Online record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Garip Sage, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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