Salvia subincisa Plant Care
Salvia subincisa Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Salvia subincisa, the sawtooth sage or sharptooth sage, is a small erect Salvia species that is native to New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas in the United States, and the Baja California peninsula, Chihuahua, and Sonora in Mexico. It is typically found growing in sandy areas near roadsides or other arid parts of the American southwest.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Salvia subincisa?
Plant Salvia subincisa in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) 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 Salvia subincisa Native To?
What Is the Salvia subincisa?
Salvia subincisa (Salvia subincisa) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Salvia genus. Salvia subincisa is native to New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas in the United States, and the Baja California peninsula, Chihuahua, and Sonora in Mexico.
Salvia subincisa displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Salvia subincisa 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 Salvia subincisa?
Water a young or newly planted Salvia subincisa 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 Salvia subincisa Need?
Salvia subincisa thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Salvia subincisa Prefer?
Salvia subincisa tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Salvia subincisa prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Salvia subincisa?
Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Salvia subincisa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Salvia subincisa?
Feed Salvia subincisa 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 Salvia subincisa?
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.
Salvia subincisa 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Salvia subincisa?
Salvia subincisa 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 Salvia subincisa?
Prune Salvia subincisa 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 Salvia subincisa in Winter?
Salvia subincisa 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.
How Do You Propagate a Salvia subincisa?
Salvia subincisa can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sage plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Salvia subincisa Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Salvia subincisa, 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 Salvia subincisa?
Salvia subincisa 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 Salvia subincisa Need?
Salvia subincisa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Salvia subincisa is native to New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas in the United States, and the Baja California peninsula, Chihuahua, and Sonora in Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Salvia subincisa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Salvia subincisa 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.
Salvia subincisa 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 subincisa Benth., family Lamiaceae (first published in Pl. Hartw. : 20 (1839)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Salvia subincisa, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
