Salvia pratensis aka Meadow Clary

Taxonomy

Salvia pratensis, commonly known as meadow clary or meadow sage, is a flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. Native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, it thrives in meadows, scrub edges, woodland borders, and rough places. This woody-stemmed perennial forms an upright clump, reaching a height of 3 feet and a width of 1 foot. Its mid-green, wrinkled, oval leaves are slightly ruffled and toothed on the edges. During the summer, it produces tall stems adorned with rich magenta-purple lipped flowers that attract attention with their deep violet color. In some cases, white to pink blooms can also be observed. This semi-evergreen plant blooms from early summer to autumn and is characterized by its glandular and soft-haired stems. While it is considered a noxious weed in the state of Washington, it has become naturalized in various parts of the United States. Salvia pratensis adds beauty to its surroundings and is a delightful addition to meadows, fields, and banks.

Common names

Meadow Clary, Meadow Sage

How to care for Meadow Clary

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Meadow Clary due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Meadow Clary should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Meadow Clary 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

Meadow Clary thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Meadow Clary.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Humidity

The Meadow Clary does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Meadow Clary has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Meadow Clary’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia