Like most herbs, it is simple to grow and can thrive in many conditions, some of them often being less than ideal, and that is great news for you.
Light
Texas sage grows in all light conditions, from full sun to full shade. Its ability to do this makes it an indispensable addition to a garden allowing a landscape designer to add bright splashes of color in any area and even tie separate areas with different light conditions anda single species of flower, creating a more unified design.
Soil
Unless you have sopping wet soil that requires you to put on your rain boots whenever youventure to the garden, your soil is pretty much good for growing Texas sage. It will easily grow in sandy, loamy, and clay-rich soils as long as it is well-draining.
Water
Texas sage really is easy to grow. It requires only moderate watering and can withstand long periods of dry weather without suffering too much. If you live in an area that receives regular rain, supplemental watering isn’t necessary once the plant has established itself. Water your plants daily until the shrub is established.
Temperature and Humidity
Texas sage thrives in the warm climates of the coastal southeast. It prefers hot summers and humid to dry conditions and will not tolerate the cold. Texas sage is hardy in USDA zones 9 and 10 and will reseed readily in zones 6 to 8, but is usually grown as an annual in coolerclimates.
Fertilizer
There is no real need to add supplemental fertilizer to Salvia coccinea. It should flower profuselyon its own, but if it does not, first test your soil to see if a phosphorous deficiency is your issue, to begin with, and go from there. If that is the problem, find a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content in the NPK formula and give it a shot.
Types of Texas Sage
Here are a few common cultivars of Texas sage that are available in the nursery trade that may suit your needs a little better than the native variety.
Salvia coccinea ‘Snow Nymph’ – a smaller cultivar with 24-inch tall plantsthat produce white blossoms.Salvia coccinea ‘Lady in Red’ – profusely flowering cultivar that often self-sows.Salvia coccinea ‘Coral Nymph’ – a tender cultivar that hasbicolor flowers of white and deep pink blooms on globular formed plants.Salvia coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Pink’ - cultivar with compactgrowth and early-blooming light pinkSalvia coccinea ’Summer Jewel Red’ - cultivar with compact growth andearly-blooming red flowers.
Pruning
The plant will need to be cut back after its season to allow new spring growth. In areas where it isannual, you will just remove and replant as needed and wanted. In the lucky zones that it self sows, make sure to shake seeds out from your plant or collect the seeds you want before cutting your Texas sage back, so it comes back for you next year!
Growing Texas Sage from Seed
It is easy to propagate Salvia coccinea from seed, and in many areas, the seed for the plant will be much easier to find than live plants. To start: Texas sage takes a long time to establish—usually about two years. Be sure to give it more attention and additional waterings. It won’t bloom until established, so don’t be alarmed if your plant doesn’t produce any flowers for a few years.
How to Get Texas Sage to Bloom
Your salvia should be bloom profusely without any issue, but if it is lagging a bit, don’t worry. A flowering plant such as Texas sage can benefit from a boost of phosphorus to kick its blooming into high gear. If it is still not producing abundant flowers, it may need extra water or just extra time! It will bloom, be patient.
Common Problems with Texas Sage
Luckily S. coccinea does not suffer from too many problems or pests but can occasionally be hassled by mealybugs and aphids. Also, if you do not provide proper spacing and airflow, your plants may develop powdery mildew. To minimize this risk, be sure to divide plants when it self sows and trim back when it becomes overcrowded.
