Salvia summa Plant Care

Salvia summa (Salvia summa) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Salvia genus. Salvia summa is native to a small area in southern New Mexico, an adjacent area in northern Texas, and in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Salvia summa displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Salvia summa 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 Salvia summa 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.

Salvia summa thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Salvia summa 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.

Salvia summa 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.

Salvia summa 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 Salvia summa 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.

Salvia summa 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.

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

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Salvia summa 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.

Salvia summa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Salvia summa is native to a small area in southern New Mexico, an adjacent area in northern Texas, and in Chihuahua, Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Salvia summa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.