Salvia clevelandii aka Fragrant Sage

Taxonomy

Salvia clevelandii, also known as Fragrant sage, Blue sage, Jim sage, and Cleveland sage, is a fast-growing and highly aromatic perennial plant native to Southern California and northern Baja California. It grows below 900m (3,000ft) elevation in California coastal sage and chaparral habitat. The plant was named in 1874 by Asa Gray in honor of plant collector Daniel Cleveland. This small, hairy, grey-green shrub has wrinkly leather-textured leaves with tiny ridged teeth along the edges and bears plentiful rounded flower clusters of tubular lavender to dark purple flowers with long stamens. The fruit is a spotted nutlet, and hummingbirds are very attracted to this plant. As a houseplant, Fragrant Sage needs regular watering and direct light, and it prefers soil that is well-draining. Fertilizers are not necessary if the plant is repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Fragrant Sage

How to care for Fragrant Sage

Difficulty

Caring for Fragrant Sage is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Fragrant Sage should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Fragrant Sage loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Fragrant Sage requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Fragrant Sage is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Fragrant Sage to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Fragrant Sage. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Fragrant Sage should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Fragrant Sage’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia