How to Plant Ornamental Salvia: Timing, Spacing, Care & Bloom

Salvia at a glance

PlantTransplant: last frost

SunClemson: most prefer full sun and well-drained slightly acidic soils; many drought-tolerant once established.

WaterExcess water/fertilizer raises fungal disease risk.

SpacingNC S. nemorosa: to about 3 feet tall, 2 feet wide.

Days to bloomBloom late spring–fall depending on type

-3-2-1LF+1+2+3

■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.

Updated November 4, 2026

Not culinary sage: this page is ornamental landscape Salvia. Cooking sage is S. officinalis — see how to grow sage. See also Russian sage.

Sourced from university extension guides. For dates where you live, use the ZIP planting planner.

Planting timing

Clemson HGIC 1175: “The best time to plant salvias is in spring after the danger of frost is passed.” Divide perennials in early spring. (Clemson salvia) Iowa State: plant annual salvias after the threat of frost has passed. (ISU annual salvias) Planner: Transplant 0.

Scarlet sage (bedding)

Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) is a tender bedding annual: start indoors about 8 weeks before last frost (Purdue/ISU) and plant out after frost. See the full guide: how to plant scarlet sage. Distinct from culinary sage and from mealycup sage below.

Mealycup sage (bedding)

Mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea) is a bedding annual salvia. Wisconsin: sow indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the average last spring frost date, and set out plants after the last frost. Plants sown outdoors after last frost may not bloom before the season ends. (WI mealycup sage) Distinct from culinary sage and from scarlet sage above.

Angelonia (summer snapdragon)

Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) is a heat-loving bedding annual often grown with summer salvias. Clemson: start seed 6 to 8 weeks before the last anticipated spring frost; plant out after frost / in warm soil. (Clemson angelonia) Not culinary sage and not mealycup/scarlet salvia above.

Depth and spacing

NC S. nemorosa: to about 3 feet tall, 2 feet wide. NC S. greggii: space 12 inches–3 feet.

Sun, soil and water

Clemson: most prefer full sun and well-drained slightly acidic soils; many drought-tolerant once established. Excess water/fertilizer raises fungal disease risk.