Blood Sage
Salvia coccinea
Also known as: Sage
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Virgin Islands
Renjusplace
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- Salvia coccinea
- USDA Symbol:
- SACO5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- red, pink, white, coral
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble (Bombus pensylvanicus), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Xylocopa micans, Xylocopa strandi, Xylocopa tabaniformis Hummingbirds: Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Moths:Pyrausta inornatalis Butterflies:Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus), Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Eastern Giant (Heraclides cresphontes), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Julia butterfly (Dione vanillae), Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus), Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe), Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers open, sunny locations in native habitat
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with light; surface sow and do not cover deeply. Warm temperatures (70-75°F) promote best germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).