Also known as Jerusalem Sage · 174 gardener saves
Phlomis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Phlomis, the genus most gardeners know as jerusalem sage. We track 10 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 10 most-saved Phlomis varieties
Of 10 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedTurkish sage
Phlomis russeliana
#2 most savedJerusalem sage
Phlomis fruticosa
#3 most savedTuberous Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis tuberosa
Cashmere Phlomis
Phlomis cashmeriana
Jerusalem Sage Miss Grace
Phlomis fruticosa 'Miss Grace'
Sticky Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis viscosa
Purple Phlomis
Phlomis purpurea
Long-leaved Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis longifolia
Italian Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis italica 'Frisco'
Bristly Phlomis
Phlomis setigera
How to grow Phlomis
What the Phlomis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 10 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Phlomis year
- PruneFebruary70% of varieties
Shear lightly after flowering to maintain a dense, mounding shape
- Spring CleanupFebruary50% of varieties
Cut back old, spent flower stalks to the basal foliage before new growth starts.
- DivideMarch and September40% of varieties
Divide congested clumps every 3-5 years in early spring or early fall.
- MulchMarch30% of varieties
Apply a thin layer of compost or mulch in spring.
- PlantMarch and September30% of varieties
Plant in well-draining soil in spring or fall
- PropagateJuly30% of varieties
Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- DeadheadJuly and August30% of varieties
Remove spent flower spikes to maintain a tidy appearance and prolong bloom.
Do
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Prune after flowering to promote bushiness
- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Mulch to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Plant in poorly drained soil ❌
- Overwater in winter ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Phlomis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Root rot | Wilting despite watering | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Phlomis
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in well-draining soil and mist daily
- Roots develop in 4-6 weeks
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks
- Germination occurs in 2-4 weeks
Phlomis questions
How many types of Phlomis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 10 distinct Phlomis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 174 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Phlomis grow in?
Across its varieties, Phlomis covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Phlomis bloom?
Most Phlomis varieties bloom in late spring to summer, late spring to early summer, late spring to summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Phlomis should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Phlomis in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
