Growing Vibrant Salvias in Pots: A Complete Guide

The strange, wavy flowers of sage plants are just as beautiful to look at as the sour leaves that taste great in pot roasts and stuffings.

With their brightly colored blooms in shades of purple, red, pink and blue salvias add a pop of vibrant color wherever they are planted. While traditionally grown in garden beds, did you know that salvias also thrive when grown in containers and pots? Their adaptability makes salvias an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add instant beauty and color to a patio, balcony, or any small space.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully growing salvias in pots From choosing the right pot and soil to proper care and overwintering, read on for tips to keep your potted salvias thriving season after season

Why Grow Salvias in Pots?

There are many great reasons to grow salvias in containers

Add color – With their long-lasting summer blooms, salvias instantly brighten up any outdoor space when grown in pots.

Suit small spaces – Potted salvias are perfect for patios, balconies, and urban gardens with limited space. Their upright shape lets them maximize impact in a compact area.
Portability – It’s easy to move potted salvias around to change up the look of your space as needed. Wheel larger pots wherever you want color and interest.
Overwinter tender varieties – Salvias that aren’t winter hardy can be overwintered indoors in their pots. This protects them from freezing temperatures.

Control size – Container grown salvias don’t spread unchecked like in-ground plants. Their size stays contained within the pot’s boundaries.

Choosing the Right Pot for Salvias

When selecting a container for your salvia, consider these factors:

Drainage – Excellent drainage is crucial to prevent roots from becoming waterlogged. Choose a pot with multiple drainage holes.
Size – Pick a pot at least 12-16 inches wide and deep for most varieties. Dwarf types can use smaller pots.
Material – Unglazed terra cotta, wood, resin, and other porous materials allow airflow to the roots. Avoid non-breathable plastic.

Color – For maximum impact, use a pot color that complements or contrasts nicely with the salvia’s flowers.
Weight – Larger pots can get very heavy when filled with soil and plants. Opt for pots with wheels if they need to be movable.

Using the Right Potting Mix

Salvias need a well-draining potting mix:

Use a commercial cactus & succulent mix or create your own blend.
Mix should contain 1 part potting soil, 1 part perlite or builders sand for drainage.

Optional additions are 1 part peat moss to retain moisture and 1 part compost for nutrients.
Potting mixes for Mediterranean herbs like rosemary also work well.
Soil pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline, around 6.5-7.5. Salvias dislike acidic soil.

How to Plant Salvias in Pots

Follow these simple steps when potting up your salvias:

Choose a pot at least 2 inches wider than the plant’s current nursery pot.

Fill the new container about 1/3 full with moistened potting mix.
Gently remove the salvia from its nursery pot and loosen any circling roots.
Place the salvia in the new pot, positioning it slightly higher than at its previous level.

Fill remaining space with mix, gently firming it around the roots. Leave 1 inch below the pot rim.
Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom drainage holes.

Caring for Potted Salvias

Keep your container salvias looking their best with proper care:

Sunlight: Place pots in full sun, ideally 6+ hours per day. Salvias love the heat!
Water: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Water deeply until it drains from the pot’s bottom.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly with a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer during peak growing season.
Pruning: Prune back stems by 1/3 throughout summer to promote bushy, compact growth.
Overwintering: Move pots to a protected area over winter. Reduce watering but don’t allow pots to fully dry out.

Top Salvias for Growing in Containers

Pineapple sage
Cherry Chief sage
Rockin’ salvias series

Vista series
Lady in Red salvia
Salvia greggii varieties

Salvia microphylla varieties
Salvia leucantha (Mexican sage)

With the right care, salvias will reward you with months of vivid, non-stop color in pots. Their relatively low maintenance and drought tolerance also makes them an ideal choice for busy gardeners. Give container growing a try this season and let these salvia beauties shine!

Can You Grow Salvia In Pots?

It’s possible, and if you’re growing salvia types that only do well in zones 3 and 4, you should.

Vicki Weston from Weston’s Salvias says that this way you won’t have any trouble keeping the frost-hardy plants safe over the winter:

“Salvias will do well in pots, and for the tender types—many of which are still in beautiful flower in November—it’s a must.” ”.

Choosing Suitable Containers

I’d recommend you choose a terra-cotta pot with drainage holes.

It’s best to avoid containers made of plastic and other synthetic materials.

How big the pot needs to be depends on how big the plant is now and how tall and wide it will get in the future.

Vicki says, “I think a lot of people put salvias in pots because they’re afraid their plants won’t make it through the winter.”

“Remember that shrubby types grow thousands of feet up in the South American mountains, so they are tough.

“Hot Lips, Royal Bumble, and many other types can handle temperatures as low as -10°C. However, because it is colder in the pot, they are less safe in the winter than in the ground!”

Salvia varieties’ ultimate heights range from a compact 0. 3-2m, so the size of the container will be very variable.

I think you should pick a pot that is at least half as tall as the plant is now, if not a little taller.

Salvia has roots that spread out and grow quickly, so make sure to pot on or think about getting a bigger pot in the first place.

Salvias do best in soil that is moderately fertile, but not too rich, and has some organic matter in it. However, they can get root rot, so the soil must drain well.

That way, the soil won’t go bad from not having enough oxygen, says Lyndi Garnett of the Victorian Salvia Study Group. “Pick a very good potting soil with little organic matter.”

For all salvia except Rosemary varieties, you can’t go wrong with a high-quality outdoor or all-purpose potting mix.

If not, loose soil made of grit or perlite, sand, and organic compost will work great for most salvia.

For Rosemary varieties, less fertile soil such as a balanced loam should be used.

The soil should be kept moist, though it should be allowed to dry out between waterings.

Planting the Most Beautiful Clematis & Salvia! // Garden Answer

FAQ

Do salvias like sun or shade?

Most salvias prefer full sun and well-drained soils, but some will bloom well in part shade. Once established, most salvia species are quite drought-tolerant and require little care. Excessive water and fertilizer can increase fungal disease problems for salvias. Most salvias prefer slightly acidic soils.

Do salvias come back every year?

Perennial salvias will return year after year from their roots and may self-sow through dropped seeds as well. An easy identifier for salvias is their square stems, just like their cousins the mints. Over the past couple of years, I’ve added more blue salvias to my gardens.

Where is the best place to plant salvias?

Sunlight: Most salvias prefer full sun and need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Some will bloom well in part shade. Soil: Salvias usually prefer well-drained soil and do not tolerate wet or waterlogged soil. They grow best in soil that is amended with organic matter, such as compost.

Can you grow Salvia in pots?

Growing Salvias in Pots can be a great way to add vibrant color and texture to your patio, balcony, or indoor space. These plants are relatively easy to grow and care for, making them an ideal choice for container gardening. Salvias are flowering plants in the mint family – Lamiaceae, that include numerous species.

Can Salvia grow outside?

Place your annual salvia in a space that will be above freezing to keep your plant alive. Perennial salvia plants can do well outdoors with a proper sized pot that allows soil space to act as a natural insulator for the roots. Keep in mind that newly potted salvia should be protected from frost and freezes as they establish their new roots.

Can you grow Salvia from seed?

Growing Salvia from seed can be a rewarding experience, but it does require a bit more patience. Start by sowing your Salvia seeds in a seed tray filled with a seed-starting mix. Keep the tray in a warm, bright spot, and make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy. Once the seedlings are big enough to handle, you can transplant them into pots.

How many salvia plants can you grow in a pot?

For full-grown perennial salvia, I’d suggest that you grow only one per pot so that the pot’s dimensions are appropriate for the given plant’s size. Most salvia varieties require soil nutrients to produce the most eye-catching blooms and the most delectable leaves, so it is wise to let each plant play by itself.