Salvia Facts

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Overview

Salvia is part of the mint family and is commonly known as sage. It can be annual, biennial or perennial depending on the variety. Salvia is widely used in cooking, for medicinal purposes and in ornamental gardens.

History

Salvia has been around for centuries, originating in central and southwestern Asia. Pliny the Elder first used the Latin name salvia, which means "to save".

Types

There are many different varieties of salvia available, approximately 700 to 900 species.

Growth

Salvia grows 10 inches to 4 ½ feet high. It requires mostly sunny conditions and even moisture with well-drained soil for optimal growth.

Care

Salvia seeds can be sown directly into the garden in early spring or started indoors six to eight weeks after the final frost. Seedlings should be spaced 10 to 20 inches apart.

Considerations

Spent blooms should be pinched off to promote continuous flowering. Salvia is best used in beds, containers or as fresh or dried cut flowers.

Fun Fact

Salvia is classified as both an herb and a flower.

References

Overview
Growth and Care

Who Can Help

National Gardening Association

Keywords: Salvia, Salvia Facts, About Salvia

About this Author

Vikki McMahon attended the College of New Jersey before experiencing a variety of career choices, including the pharmaceutical research field, the real estate industry and the Insurance industry. She has been a freelance writer since 2008 and shares her enthusiasm for parenting and home and garden topics, with published articles appearing on stressfreeliving.com and thebabybin.com.

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