Species Texas sage
red flowers with green leaves, brown-red stems and buds

Texas sage

Salvia coccinea 'Forest Fire'

Texas Sage, or Salvia coccinea 'Forest Fire' is an evergreen shrub native to Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico. It is a striking addition to the garden with its bright, orange-red flower spikes and the contrasting deep green foliage. Growing to a height of 3–4 feet, the flowers attract a variety of pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds amoung others. Texas Sage is best suited for dry, hot locations, where its deep roots can access the stored moisture in the soil. Due to its hardiness and drought-tolerance, it is a great choice for xeriscaping and waterwise gardening. This hardy, fast-growing shrub also makes a great decoration for any landscape.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

Fire-red Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Texas sage should be watered approximately once every 1-2 weeks, or when the soil is dry to the touch. The amount of water will vary depending on the climate and the level of humidity, but on average it should receive around 1 inch of water per watering. During the summer months, it may need to be watered more frequently. It is important to note that Texas sage does not like to be overwatered, so take care to ensure that the soil is allowed to dry out in between waterings.

sunlight

Texas Sage (Salvia coccinea 'Forest Fire') thrives in full sunlight, so they should be placed in an area with plenty of direct, bright sunlight for 6-8 hours each day. This plant is native to the drier parts of Texas and Mexico, and as such, it needs intense light to reach its full potential. Too little sunlight can cause stunted growth or even lack of blooming, so it’s important to provide consistent sunlight to the plant. This species of sage also tolerates partial shade, so depending on its location, it may be best to provide bright filtered sunlight or light dappled shade for half of the day.

pruning

Texas Sage should be pruned in the late winter or early spring, leaving 2-3 buds on each stem. Pruning should be done to promote new growth and to remove any dead, damaged, diseased, or overgrown branches. Pruning can be done lightly, removing up to 20% of the total foliage per season or more heavily, removing up to 50% of the total foliage per season. Remember to keep the shape of the Texas sage in mind as you prune and be sure to leave behind healthy branches with plenty of buds for new growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Texas sage typically begins flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Texas sage typically begins flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Hardiness Map