Scarlet Sage

Salvia coccinea Common Names: Scarlet Sage, Blood Sage, Red Sage, Indian Fire (Not to be confused with Salvia splendens, which shares many of these common names) Tropical Sage is a wonderful plant from the mint family (Lamiaceae) that originally hails from the southeastern United States and Mexico. It's a perennial in warmer climates, but it happily grows as an annual in areas where winters are chilly. The genus name, Salvia, comes from the Latin word "salvo," which means "be well," highlighting its medicinal benefits. This plant thrives in sandy, nutrient-rich soil and enjoys a sunny spot, although it can adapt well to partial shade. It’s quite forgiving and can be managed in clay soil as long as there's good drainage. Tropical Sage typically reaches 1 to 3 feet and can spread 1 to 2.5 feet wide. While it can endure drought conditions, it truly shines and produces stunning blooms when given extra water during dry spells. Plus, it often self-seeds, allowing for delightful surprises eac