Salvia splendens SCARLET SAGE (10 seeds)

Scarlet Sage is a perennial plant native to South America, specifically Brazil. In temperate climates, it is cultivated as an annual plant.
It belongs to the large Lamiaceae family. Its size varies from 30 to 60 cm in height.

Its distinct square stems bear beautiful glossy green leaves that grow in opposite pairs. They have an elongated heart shape with small serrated edges. This foliage grows very densely, giving the plant the appearance of a well-furnished small bush.

The flowers grow at the top of the stems, forming tall, straight spikes that rise above the foliage. These flowers are packed closely together, creating the impression of a very showy plume. While bright red is the most famous color, purple, pink, or white varieties also exist. Even when the flower falls, the small calyx that held it remains colored on the stem for a long time, prolonging the plant's beauty.

Scarlet Sage seeds from Salvia splendens are small, round, and brown in color.

- Uses:

Floral Brilliance and Aesthetic of Salvia splendens

Scarlet sage, available as seeds from Ethnoplants, is distinguished by its long, fiery bright red flower spikes.
This spectacular herbaceous plant creates an intense visual impact in the garden, offering a generous and long-lasting bloom that instantly energises your flower beds and landscape compositions.

Structure and Landscaping of Green Spaces

Thanks to its neat and compact growth habit, Salvia splendens is the ideal candidate for defining flower beds or structuring pathway borders.
Highly popular in public gardens for its robustness, it adapts perfectly to container gardening, guaranteeing a harmonious and balanced floral display throughout the season.

An Accessible, Low-Maintenance Ornamental Plant

A must-have for beginner gardeners, this ornamental variety requires very little maintenance to produce an abundant bloom.
Ethnoplants seeds allow you to easily grow this resilient species, perfect for enhancing your outdoor spaces with a reliable plant structure and explosive colour from summer to the first frosts.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The ideal time to sow Scarlet Sage is in May when the warmth begins.
• Sow the seeds in a tray of good horticultural soil.
• Cover them with only 2 to 3 millimeters of fine soil, press down firmly, and water gently.
• Place the tray in a warm greenhouse at a minimum of 25°C.
• Germination generally begins 2 to 3 weeks after planting.
• When the seedlings reach 8 to 10 cm, transplant them separately into large pots or directly into the garden soil.

- Substrate:

Scarlet Sage prefers light, nutrient-rich, and very well-drained soil to prevent root rot. A mix of 85% good horticultural soil and 15% sand ensures vigorous growth.

- Light Exposure:

A full sun location is essential to guarantee intense flowering and vivid colors all summer. However, it accepts partial shade in the hottest regions to prevent the foliage from wilting.

- Temperature:

Native to warm regions, it absolutely does not tolerate frost and dies as soon as temperatures drop below zero. It thrives when the thermometer stays above 20°C during the day.

- Watering:

The soil must remain constantly fresh, as this sage fears drought, which immediately stops flower production. Regular watering at the base of the plant, without wetting the leaves, is recommended. Mulching is ideal to prevent the soil from drying out.

- Propagation Methods:

It can be reproduced by seeds but also by stem cuttings taken at the end of summer.

This article was written by Julien on 07/15/2026.