Salvia verticillata aka Lilac Sage
Taxonomy
Salvia verticillata, also known as lilac sage or whorled clary, is a herbaceous perennial that is native to a wide area ranging from central Europe to western Asia. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. This plant has a leafy base of mid-green leaves covered with hairs, with leaf-covered stems that carry 3 feet (0.91 m) inflorescences. The tiny lavender flowers grow tightly packed in whorls, with tiny lime-green and purple calyces. The plant's specific epithet, verticillata, refers to the whorls that grow in verticils. A cultivar introduced in the 1990s, 'Purple Rain', is much more showy and long-blooming, growing about 2 feet (0.61 m) tall.
Lilac Sage is a rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. The plant likes soil that is well-draining, and it shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. Belonging to the Salvia genus, Lilac Sage is native to Western Asia and Europe.
To maintain the plant, it is recommended to remove faded flower spikes. Overall, Salvia verticillata is a useful and beautiful plant that can make a great addition to any garden or indoor space.
Common names
Lilac Sage, Whorled Clary, Whorled SageHow to care for Lilac Sage
Difficulty
With its straightforward care requirements, Lilac Sage is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.
Water
Lilac Sage should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Lilac 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
Lilac Sage 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 Whorled Sage.
Toxicity
Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.
Humidity
The Lilac Sage is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
The Lilac Sage should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Region of origin
Lilac Sage’s native range is Worldwide.
More info:
Wikipedia
