Salvias are usually pretty easy to grow and don’t have many problems with pests or diseases. If you do have any problems, they’re probably because of the environment, how they’re placed, or how well you take care of them.
Salvias usually do best in full sun and soil that doesn’t stay soggy. However, the exact care you need will depend on whether you are growing an annual, perennial, or shrubby type.
Vicki Weston of Weston’s Salvias says, “Salvias are very helpful and easy to grow plants. As long as you follow the right care instructions, there shouldn’t be many problems.”
We’ll go over these issues in more depth below, along with ways to fix them so your salvia plants stay happy and healthy.
Hot Lips salvia (Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’) is a gorgeous hummingbird magnet with its bright red and white blooms But in colder climates, there’s always the worry about whether this semi-hardy plant will survive the winter.
If your Hot Lips looks lifeless when spring arrives how can you tell if it’s truly dead or just slow to wake up? Read on for tips on determining if your salvia survived plus overwintering advice to boost its cold hardiness.
Signs Your Salvia Succumbed to Winter
Unfortunately, sometimes Hot Lips planted in ground doesn’t endure freezing winter temperatures. Here are indications your salvia probably didn’t make it:
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The stems are brittle and snap when bent. No flexibility means no life.
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The bark is dry and peeling. Healthy bark shouldn’t separate from the inner wood.
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Scratching the stems reveals no green cambium layer underneath. Green cambium indicates living tissue.
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No new growth emerges from the ground by mid-spring. Most salvias regenerate from the base.
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The roots feel mushy when dug up. Rotting roots mean the plant died back.
If your salvia shows these signs, it likely froze out over the winter. Time to replace it with a new plant. But first, consider ways to improve its winter hardiness.
Clues Your Salvia Survived, Just Slow to Wake
Luckily, it’s also common for Hot Lips to look dead but then revive. Here are hopeful signs it’s still alive:
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The stems bend without cracking. Flexibility means possible life.
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The bark remains intact. It shouldn’t peel or shed when scraped.
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Green shows beneath outer bark when scratched. The cambium survived.
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Firm, healthy roots when dug up. Mushy roots indicate death.
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Leaf buds eventually emerge at the base in late spring.
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New growth starts slowly on existing stems. Be patient!
Even cold-damaged stems often regrow from the salvia’s vigorously healthy roots. Don’t give up too soon!
Improving Hot Lips’ Winter Hardiness
Hot Lips is considered semi-hardy, and may die back in zones 6 and colder. But you can help it survive winter with proper care:
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Plant in a sheltered spot, protected from wind. Insulate with mulch.
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Keep soil moist in fall. Dry roots are vulnerable to freeze damage.
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Prune lightly in fall. Avoid stimulating new growth prone to freezing.
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Cover with a loose winter mulch after ground freezes. Use bark, leaves, or pine needles.
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Layer stems in summer for insurance. New plants can replace winter losses.
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Propagate cuttings in late summer. Overwinter pots in a cool room.
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Plant in containers you can move indoors for winter. Reduce freeze stress.
With good siting and care, you may be rewarded with Hot Lips’ fiery blooms each summer for years to come.
Overwintering Potted Salvias Indoors
If you grew Hot Lips in a container, move it to an protected spot before temperatures drop:
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An unheated garage or enclosed porch works well. Avoid temperature swings.
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Water lightly during winter, about once a month. Don’t let soil dry out completely.
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Remove dead growth in early spring. Look for new growth at the base to emerge.
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Hard prune leggy stems in spring to shape the plant before moving it outdoors.
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Watch for signs of mildew on overwintered plants. Improve air circulation.
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Acclimate the salvia slowly to sun and wind when moving it back outside in spring.
Reviving Leggy or Overgrown Plants
Hot Lips and other salvias may get lanky and unsightly after a few years in the garden. Here’s how to rejuvenate them:
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Prune vigorously in early spring, cutting each stem down to 6 inches or less.
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Shape and thin as needed for good air circulation and form.
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Fertilize lightly to stimulate vigorous new regrowth. Use an organic fertilizer.
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Pinch off new shoot tips periodically to encourage bushy growth habit.
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Layer long flexible stems in summer to start new replacement plants.
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Propagate cuttings from both old and new wood for insurance.
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Replace old plants entirely every 3-5 years with fresh young ones.
With proper pruning and care, an overgrown salvia will reward you with lush new mounded growth and endless blooms for the hummingbirds to enjoy.
Enjoying Hot Lips’ Vibrant Blooms
Few plants rival Hot Lips’ nonstop floral display. Use it as a:
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Hedge or border with its mounded form and profuse blooms.
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Hummingbird magnet, planted en masse for bold color impact.
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Container specimen on decks or patios. It flowers until frost.
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Cut flower for fresh bouquets with its long lasting blooms.
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Fragrant addition to gardens, releasing a fruity scent.
Don’t let uncertainty about its winter survival stop you from growing this salvia beauty. With careful siting and maintenance, Hot Lips will persist for many seasons of vibrant color.
Frequency of Entities
Hot Lips: 21
Salvia: 16
Stems: 10
Winter: 8
New growth: 7
Bark: 5
Roots: 4
Mulch: 3
Cambium: 3
Spring: 3
Cuttings: 3
Fall: 2
Hummingbirds: 2
Containers: 2
Sheltered: 1
Zones: 1
Freezing: 1
Layering: 1
Lanky: 1
Poor Flowering
Several things can make it not flower, but the most common reason is that it was put in the wrong place and isn’t getting enough sun.
Moving your salvia to a sunnier and more suitable spot should solve this issue.
“Make sure you know the growth type of your salvia and when it flowers,” says Lyndi Garnett, coordinator of the Victorian Salvia Study Group.
“Large and tall salvias flower in autumn and winter, so don’t cut down in winter.”
Short Flowering Period
You may have heard that salvias have a long blooming period over the summer.
But if you don’t remove the spent flowers from the plants when they’re done blooming, around mid-summer, they will go to seed instead of continuing to bloom.
Deadheading is a good idea with most salvias to prolong the flowering period for as long as possible…
How to Prune Salvia to Get Continuous Blooms!! Learned this by Accident! My Selective Pruning Method
Are Hot Lips plants dead?
Pests and Diseases: Hot lips plants are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, including spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. Keep an eye out for any signs of infestation or disease, and treat your plant accordingly. The first step to determining if your hot lips plant is dead is to check for any signs of life.
Why does my HOT LIP plant die?
Make sure your plant is getting at least six hours of sunlight a day. If your plant is not getting enough sunlight, move it to a sunnier location or consider using a grow light. Another reason that Hot Lips plants can start to die is because they’re not getting enough nutrients.
How do you know if a Hot Lips plant is dead?
If you’re not sure if your hot lips plant is dead or alive, try scratching the stems with your fingernail. If you see green tissue underneath, then your plant is still alive. If the tissue is brown or black, then your plant is dead. If your hot lips plant is still alive, but not thriving, there may be some common issues that need to be addressed.
How to revive a dying Hot Lips plant?
If you’re wondering how to revive a dying Hot Lips plant, don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to help bring it back to life. One of the most common reasons that Hot Lips plants start to die is because they’re not getting enough water or they’re getting too much. Make sure you’re watering your plant regularly, but not too much.