Indian Fire Salvia coccinea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-ah kok-SIN-ee-ah
- Description
-
Scarlet sage is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family and is native to Mexico and the southeastern United States. It is perennial in warmer climates and annual where winter temperatures are below freezing. The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salveo, which means ‘be well’ and refers to the plant's medicinal properties.
Scarlet sage is best grown in full sun to partial shade in sandy, fertile soil but will tolerate clay soil with good drainage. It grows 1 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2.5 feet in width. It tolerates drought but will flower more abundantly with watering during dry spells. Scarlet sage reseeds easily.
The bright red flowers are an inch long and arranged in loose whorls along the upright stem and bloom continuously from early summer to the first frost. They are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
Though it looks similar to pineapple sage (Salvia elegans), which has edible flowers, the flowers of scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) are NOT edible. Crush a flower. If it smells like sage or grass, it is scarlet sage; do not eat it. If it smells like pineapple, it is edible.
Good locations for scarlet sage are walkways, coastal, and naturalized areas. Use it as a border or mass planting in a butterfly, cottage, pollinator, or drought-tolerant garden.
Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Coral Nymph (also called Cherry Blossom)
bicolor flowers of white and deep pinkish coral or salmon - Forest Fire
fire-red flowers with reddish-black calyxes. - Lady in Red
shorter and more free-flowering than other cultivars - Snow Nymph (also called Alba)
white blossoms - Summer Jewel Pink
light pink flowers - Summer Jewel Red
red flowers, compact growth
- Coral Nymph (also called Cherry Blossom)
- Coral Nymph (also called Cherry Blossom), Forest Fire, Lady in Red, Snow Nymph (also called Alba), Summer Jewel Pink, Summer Jewel Red
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Coral Nymph (also called Cherry Blossom)
bicolor flowers of white and deep pinkish coral or salmon - Forest Fire
fire-red flowers with reddish-black calyxes. - Lady in Red
shorter and more free-flowering than other cultivars - Snow Nymph (also called Alba)
white blossoms - Summer Jewel Pink
light pink flowers - Summer Jewel Red
red flowers, compact growth
- Coral Nymph (also called Cherry Blossom)
- Coral Nymph (also called Cherry Blossom), Forest Fire, Lady in Red, Snow Nymph (also called Alba), Summer Jewel Pink, Summer Jewel Red
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- coccinea
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- Coastal; South Carolina to Florida; west to Texas.
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- two-lipped, with smaller upper lip and larger lower lip
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- medium green, hairy leaves are roughly triangular, oval or heart-shaped, with scalloped edges.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Square stems are covered with short hairs as well as long spreading hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
