Salvia is a gorgeous ornamental plant that adds vibrant color and visual interest to any garden with its long flowering spikes and lush foliage. However salvias are unfortunately prone to flopping over and becoming unruly. This falling foliage can ruin the attractive upright shape of the plant. Luckily there are several techniques you can use to keep your salvia standing tall all season long. In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the causes of floppy salvia and the best methods to support your plants for optimum growth and beauty.
Why Salvia Falls Over
Before we get into solutions, let’s first understand what causes salvia to flop in the first place. There are a few key reasons these plants tend to fall over
-
Top-heavy flowers – The long spikes of tubular flowers add weight to the top of the plant that can cause stems to bend and sag.
-
Leggy growth – In shade or crowded conditions, salvias stretch out and become lanky as they reach for sunlight. Weak, leggy stems are prone to flopping.
-
Wind – Strong winds and storms can batter salvia around, causing leaning stems and foliage.
-
Heavy rain – The weight of water from heavy rainfalls or overhead watering can bring stems down.
-
Poor root development – Inadequate roots from issues like overwatering cannot properly anchor the plant upright.
Understanding why your salvia is leaning or falling helps you pinpoint the best solutions. Now let’s go over several techniques to keep your salvia standing tall!
Provide Proper Sunlight
Ensuring your salvia gets adequate sunlight is crucial for preventing stretching and flopping. Salvias thrive best in full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. In shade or crowded conditions, the plant grows leggy as it reaches for light.
If your salvia is not getting enough direct sun, try moving the plant to a new spot or thinning surrounding plants to open up sunlight access. Proper sunlight keeps plants full, compact, and sturdy.
Give Shelter From Wind
Strong winds can wreak havoc on upright salvias, causing leaning stems and battered foliage. Providing protection from intense winds will help keep your plants standing straight.
Use trellises, walls, fences or plant shelters as windbreaks. Stake stems individually if needed. Site shorter varieties in a protected courtyard area away from prevailing winds.
Proper siting, barriers, and support reduces the chance of wind damage that can lead to flopping issues.
Improve Air Circulation
While shelter from wind is beneficial, salvias still require good air circulation around the foliage to remain healthy and upright.
Avoid overcrowding plants which creates a jungle effect with poor air movement. Follow proper spacing guidelines when planting.
Prune overhanging nearby trees and shrubs to open up air flow. Remove lower leaves periodically to prevent foliage congestion.
Good air circulation allows leaves to dry quicker after rains, reducing fungal issues that can weaken stems.
Water Correctly
Excess moisture from heavy overhead watering or rains can saturate foliage and cause flopping. But under-watering that leads to poor root development can also be detrimental.
Water salvias at soil level only, avoiding wet foliage. Check soil moisture before watering and allow the top few inches to dry out between waterings. Provide extra water during hot, dry stretches.
Consistent, moderated moisture prevents excessive wetness while still nurturing healthy root growth for anchoring plants firmly upright.
Stake Stems Strategically
Inserting stakes next to struggling plants provides physical support to keep bending stems standing tall. Use green garden stakes or bamboo that blend into foliage.
Place stakes 6-12 inches from the main stem so ties don’t easily slip off. Use stretchy plant tape, twist ties, or soft fabric strips to gently secure stems to stakes.
Stake selectively only where needed rather than staking all stems. Be careful not to damage roots when inserting stakes.
Use Shaping Prunes
Pruning long, overextended stems back to an outward facing bud can promote compact, bushy new growth that naturally resists flopping.
Make pruning cuts above a set of healthy leaves. Remove any diseased or crossing stems. Cutting just above new leaf clusters results in nicely shaped new stems.
Prune leggy growth in early spring and again after flowering to maintain optimal form. Never shear salvias.
Deadhead Diligently
Removing spent flowers through the season prevents seed heads forming which add extra weight causing leaning stems.
Clip off old flower spikes down to the uppermost leaves using pruners. Make cuts at an angle to avoid water collection.
Deadhead frequently – at least every 2 weeks – for best results. Consistent deadheading reduces flopping issues.
Provide Nutrient Rich Soil
Salvias need fertile, well-draining soil to produce sturdy stems and foliage. Amend planting beds with compost or organic matter. Use a general purpose fertilizer at the start of spring.
In pots, re-pot with fresh potting mix each spring. Apply slow release fertilizer spikes or granules per label instructions to nourish plants all season.
Avoid over
Disease: Silent Saboteurs
Diseases are the silent saboteurs, often going unnoticed until its too late. Fungal enemies like rust and viral enemies can make leaves turn yellow or get unsightly spots, which can lead to the dreaded leaf drop.
Keep an eye out for discoloration or spots on leaves, which can signal the onset of disease. Cleanliness is your best defense; get rid of any infected leaves and don’t water from above to stop the spread of spores.
For fungal diseases, biological controls like ladybugs for aphids can be effective. There is no cure for viral diseases, so keep your gardening tools clean and keep new plants away from sick plants until they are fully grown.
When Nature Strikes: Environmental and Physical Stressors
Extreme weather can leave Salvia leaves limp. Heat waves or a cold snap can cause them to droop in distress. To combat this, create a microclimate. Use structures or plants that provide dappled shade, buffering your Salvia from intense sun and wind.
How to Care for Falling Salvia
How do you keep salvia plants upright?
Staking salvias, especially the taller varieties like ‘Coral Reef,’ will help keep them upright. Simply prop up your plants with stakes or bamboo poles to give them more support and allow room for air around their leaves to provide a healthier plant. You can find stakes and various garden supplies at Dollar Tree.
What should I do if my Salvia plant is overwatered?
If you suspect you have overwatered your plants in the ground, give them a break from watering. When salvia still seems waterlogged, you might need to amend the soil with an organic matter such as compost to help the roots get some oxygen. If you have underwatered your plants, give them a good soak right away.
Why do salvia plants droop?
Floppy Plants and Stems When Salvia plants are exposed to excessive rainfall or insufficient sunlight, they can become droopy or floppy. When plants become waterlogged due to constant rain, their roots may become compressed and deprived of oxygen. The weight of the water can cause the stems and leaves to droop.
Do salvias have problems?
Salvias are a popular group of plants, grown for their showy flowers and attractive foliage. However, they can be susceptible to a number of problems, which can detract from their appearance or even kill the plant. In this article, we will discuss 10 of the most common problems with salvias, including issues with leaves, flowers, and stems.