Salvia farinacea aka Mealy Cup Sage
Taxonomy
Salvia farinacea, also known as the mealycup sage or mealy sage, is a herbaceous perennial native to Nuevo León, Mexico, and parts of the United States, including Texas and Oklahoma. It can be grown as an annual in temperate latitudes and is often used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens. The plant features lance-shaped silvery green leaves that are hairy on the reverse side. It produces slender racemes of small light blue lipped flowers during the summer and autumn. The flowers are cup-shaped and covered in a powdery meal, giving the plant its common name. Unlike other sage plants, the leaves of Salvia farinacea are elongated, slightly serrated, and have a grayish hue on the underside. The plant typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and has a width of 8 to 12 inches. Its compact nature and shiny leaves distinguish it from most other Salvia species. Overall, Salvia farinacea is valued for its soft, fuzzy flower spikes, fragrant foliage, and healing properties commonly associated with the sage family.
Common names
Mealy Cup Sage, Mealycup Sage, Mealy SageHow to care for Mealy Cup Sage
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Mealy Cup Sage is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Mealy Cup Sage should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Mealy Cup 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
Mealy Cup 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 Mealycup Sage is always in the right place to thrive.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Mealy Cup Sage to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.
Humidity
The Mealy Cup Sage does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
The Mealy Cup Sage should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
The Mealy Cup Sage is characterized by clumping growth, with new shoots emerging from the soil around the primary plant.
Region of origin
Mealy Cup Sage’s native range is Worldwide.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Salvia Genus
Salvia fulgens
Salvia splendens Bonfire Salvia
Salvia pachyphylla Blue Sage
Salvia gesneriiflora
Salvia columbariae Chia
Salvia lavanduloides
Salvia circinnata Salvia Circinnata
Salvia divinorum Yerba De La Pastora
Salvia chamelaeagnea False Blue Sage
