Also known as Sage · 5.9k gardener saves
Salvia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Salvia, the genus most gardeners know as sage. We track 171 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 12 most-saved Salvia varieties
Of 171 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedMay Night Sage
Salvia nemorosa 'May Night'
#2 most savedCelestial Blue Sage Wood Sage
Salvia nemorosa 'Celestial Blue'
#3 most savedMarcus Woodland Sage
Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus'
White Profusion Salvia
Salvia x hybrida 'White Profusion'
Lyrical Blues Salvia
Salvia x hybrida 'Lyrical Blues'
Rose Marvel Sage
Salvia nemerosa 'Rose Marvel'
Bumbleblue Sage
Salvia nemorosa 'Bumbleblue'
May Night Sage
Salvia x hybrida 'Mainacht'
Caradonna Sage Nemorosa Sage Meadow Sage
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Sensation Rose Salvia
Salvia x sylvestris 'Sensation Rose'
Salvia New Dimension Rose
Salvia x sylvestris 'New Dimension Rose'
Violet Profusion Meadow Sage
Salvia x hybrida 'Violet Profusion'
Browse all 171 Salvia varieties →
How to grow Salvia
What the Salvia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Salvia year
- DeadheadMay–August78% of varieties
Remove spent flower spikes to encourage continuous flowering
- PruneFebruary73% of varieties
Cut back old woody stems in late winter; shear back by 1/3 after first bloom for rebloom
- DivideMarch and September55% of varieties
Divide large, crowded clumps every 3-5 years in spring or fall
- Spring CleanupFebruary50% of varieties
Cut back old woody stems to the ground before new growth starts
- FertilizeMarch35% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer as new growth appears in spring
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Salvia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and yellowing leaves | Increase humidity and apply miticide |
| Whiteflies | Small white insects flying around and yellowing leaves | Use insecticidal soap or introduce natural predators like ladybugs |
| Root rot | Wilting and brown roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Salvia
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch cuttings in late spring.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep in indirect sunlight for 6 weeks until rooted.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2-3 weeks until germination.
Salvia questions
How many types of Salvia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 171 distinct Salvia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 5.9k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Salvia grow in?
Across its varieties, Salvia 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 Salvia bloom?
Most Salvia varieties bloom in late spring to early summer, early summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Salvia 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
By hardiness zone
Design with Salvia 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.
