Salvia virgata
Meadow sage · Wand sage
Description
Source: leafsnapSalvia virgata (wand sage, southern meadow sage) is a perennial plant that is native to Asia and southeastern Europe. It is considered a noxious weed in many parts of the world.S. virgata is sometimes included within Salvia pratensis. Flowers grow in whorls of 4–6 with a blue-violet corolla (rarely white) that is 1 to 2 centimetres (0.39 to 0.79 in) long. The ovate to oblong leaves are dull green on the top surface, with the underside covered with glands and thick hairs.
🌳 Beyond common roles like gardening and drought-tolerant landscaping, mealy Cup Sage holds a lesser-known role in the natural dye world. Its bright indigo flowers were once used by pioneers to color fabrics, an almost forgotten craft that could transform sustainable clothing practices.
🎭 Household virtue
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Mealy Cup Sage prospers in ample sunlight, using the sun’s rays to support vigorous growth. Although it performs best in full, unobstructed sun, it can tolerate portions of the day when light is screened. Too much sun, or too little, can cause harm and impede the plant’s vigorous development.
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C
Mealy Cup Sage is native to environments with temperatures ranging from 68 to 95 °F (20 to 35 ℃). It favors the warmer end of that range. In cooler seasons, consider increasing the surrounding temperature to match its native growing conditions.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize a Mealy Cup Sage is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and starts active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients for healthy growth. Although Mealy Cup Sage has relatively low fertilizer requirements, an annual feeding can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.
🪴 Pot & Repot 2-3 years
When repotting Mealy Cup Sage, select a pot 1-2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) larger with good drainage. Use a well-draining potting mix. Repot in spring or fall, making sure the root ball is slightly lower than the rim of the flower pot. Water thoroughly after repotting and place it in a warm area with indirect sunlight.
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial, Annual, Biennial
- Genus
- Salvia
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 8-10
- Mature Height
- 30 cm to 91 cm
- Mature Spread
- 30 cm to 91 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- White, Blue, Purple, Lavender
- Flower Size
- 2.54 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Summer
- Planting Time
- Spring
- Harvest Time
- Summer, Early fall
- Native Area
- Mexico