Redflower Sage Plant Care

Redflower Sage (Salvia rubriflora) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Salvia genus. Redflower Sage is native to Colombia, growing on exposed grassy banks, near streams, and in dry bushland at elevations from 2,600 to 3,000 m.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Redflower 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.

Redflower Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Redflower 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.

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

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.

Redflower Sage is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Redflower 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.

Prune Redflower 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.

Redflower Sage is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

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

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

Redflower 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.

Redflower Sage grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Redflower Sage is native to Colombia, growing on exposed grassy banks, near streams, and in dry bushland at elevations from 2,600 to 3,000 m. In cooler regions, grow Redflower Sage as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.