Salvias are popular flowering perennials that provide a pop of color in gardens. Their spiky blooms come in shades of purple, blue, pink, red and white. Salvias are known for being hardy, low-maintenance plants. Many gardeners grow salvias for their long bloom time and because they attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
If your salvias have become overgrown or you want to propagate new plants from an existing salvia, transplanting them in the fall is an ideal time. Here is a complete guide to successfully transplanting salvias in the fall.
When to Transplant Salvias
The best time to transplant salvias is during the fall when the plants start going dormant. Transplanting in early to mid fall allows the salvias time to establish roots before winter dormancy. It also gives them a head start for vigorous growth when they emerge in spring.
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September and October are optimal months for transplanting salvias in most zones Avoid transplanting during summer heat or once winter frosts arrive,
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Transplant on a cloudy, cool day to reduce transplant shock. Avoid hot, sunny days.
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Make sure soil is moist but not soggy before digging up plants. Water the day before if needed.
How to Prepare for Transplanting
Proper planning and preparation will lead to better transplanting success:
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Decide where new transplants will go and dig holes beforehand. Holes should be larger than the root ball.
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Gather needed supplies: shovel, knife, new pots, potting mix, etc. Disinfect tools to prevent disease spread.
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Transplant on an overcast, cool day when possible. Avoid hot sun bearing down on roots.
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Water plants deeply 1-2 days before transplanting. Moist soil is easier to dig up.
How to Transplant Established Salvias
Follow these steps to transplant established salvias with minimal shock:
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Dig around roots and under plant to lift clump out of ground. Shake off excess soil.
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Prune any damaged roots. Trim extremely long roots so root ball is even.
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Immediately place root ball in pre-dug planting hole. Root crown should sit just above soil level.
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Fill hole with native soil, pressing gently to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.
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Continue caring for transplants as usual. Bloom time may be reduced the first year after transplanting.
Dividing Overgrown Salvias
Large salvias can be divided in fall by splitting the root ball into smaller sections:
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As above, dig up entire plant, loosening the root ball and pruning any damaged roots.
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Find natural dividing points and split root ball into smaller sections using a sharp knife or shovel.
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Each division should have several healthy stems and established roots.
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Plant divisions immediately into prepared holes. Water well and care for as new transplants.
Transplanting Divisions into Pots
Divided sections can also be transplanted into pots for a season before moving to the garden:
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After dividing plant, pot up smaller sections in containers with potting mix.
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Grow in pots through summer, caring for them by watering, fertilizing and moving into optimal light.
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In fall, transplant container-grown divisions into permanent garden spaces. They will establish quickly.
Caring for Salvias after Transplanting
Proper aftercare will keep transplants healthy as they establish roots before winter:
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Water thoroughly after transplanting and continue deep watering for 1-2 weeks.
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Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer to stimulate new growth after transplant shock.
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Monitor for pests or diseases and treat promptly. Stressed plants can be more susceptible.
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Add a layer of mulch around transplants to retain moisture and insulate roots from winter cold.
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Prune back any dead stems in late fall and apply winter protection if needed in your zone.
Tips for Transplanting Salvias
Follow these tips for the best results when transplanting salvias in the fall:
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Choose younger, smaller plants which transplant more easily than overgrown salvias.
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Transplant on a cool, cloudy fall day to avoid heat stress and drying of roots.
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Water transplants regularly until they are established, especially heading into winter.
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Division stimulates new root and shoot growth. Divide congested salvias for plant rejuvenation.
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Pot up divisions until roots fill containers before moving to garden for highest success rate.
With proper timing and care, transplanting salvias in the fall can expand your garden spaces planted with these pollinator-friendly perennials.
Prepare Pots / Planting Holes
First, prepare the new re-planting holes or containers.
Guess how many divisions you will get from each plant you want to split, then add one to that number to know how many pots or holes to make.
The plant’s size and shape will give you a good idea of how many clumps or divisions it has.
Salvias do well in soil that isn’t too rich or too poor, so a mixed loam compost will work as long as it drains very well.
Feel free to amend the soil with organic compost.
Dig the right number of holes, figuring out how deep they should be based on how big the clumps look, or get the right number of pots ready.
Pots should have drainage holes.
Prepare The Plant
First, water the plant, whether it’s in a pot or out in the ground. If it’s in the ground, make sure the soil is really wet.
If the plant is in a pot, use a small, flat hand shovel to push from the drainage hole around the pot’s edge while the plant is being taken out of the pot with the soil ball.
If doing so proves difficult, do not stress the plant.
Instead, simply break the container by gently cracking it with a heavyish stone.
Press down on the soil around the plant with a hand-pick or garden mattock if it’s in open ground.
Start at a distance that is the spread of the plant plus about 10%.
As you loosen the soil, draw it away to keep exposing the roots.
It’s best not to cut the roots too short when you’re digging downward with a spade or hand-shovel once you see them.
Dig down to a sufficient depth so that the outer roots are fully exposed.
How to Split or Divide Salvia
FAQ
Should salvias be cut back to the ground?
Do salvias like sun or shade?
How do you prepare salvias for winter?
Can salvias be replanted?
How to transplant salvia plants?
If you are wondering how to transplant salvias, the answer varies. Choose a day that is not too hot or too cold. In other words – transplanting salvia plants during a heat wave is not a good idea. Transplanting salvia plants during winter is hard on them too. Your salvia plant will need to re-establish its roots in new soil.
When is the best time to transplant salvia plants?
Timing is crucial when it comes to transplanting salvia plants. The best time to transplant is during the early spring or late fall when the weather is cool and the plant is not actively growing. This ensures that the plant experiences minimal stress during the transplantation process.
Can salvia plants be transplanted in winter?
Transplanting salvia plants during winter is hard on them too. Your salvia plant will need to re-establish its roots in new soil. Excessive heat makes it difficult to keep those roots moist. Really cold weather inhibits new growth and can negatively impact the severed roots when transplanting.
Should I water my Salvia plant before transplanting?
Watering your salvia plant thoroughly a day or two before transplanting will help reduce stress on the roots during the process. Moist soil makes it easier to remove the plant from its current location without damaging its delicate root system.