Salvia coccinea
 
Common Names: Scarlet Sage, Tropical Sage, Blood Sage, Texas Sage
 
Zones: 8–11
 
A fast-growing herbaceous perennial native to the southeastern United States, Salvia coccinea thrives in open woodlands, coastal hammocks, and disturbed sites from Florida to Texas. Known for its vivid red tubular flowers and airy growth habit, it blooms continuously in warm climates and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees. This species is a favorite in pollinator gardens and naturalistic plantings.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright; freely branching; reseeds readily
Height: Typically 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m); slender stems
Trunk: Herbaceous; green to reddish; smooth; may become woody at base
Leaves: Ovate to deltoid; lightly toothed; 1–3 in. (2.5–7.6 cm) long; bright green
Inflorescence: Spikes of scarlet tubular flowers; bloom spring through fall
Fruit: Small nutlets; dispersed by gravity and wildlife
Ecology: Native to open woods and disturbed areas; supports pollinators and reseeds in suitable conditions
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy to loamy; well-drained; tolerates poor soils
Temperature: Tolerates 20–95°F (–6 to 35°C); thrives in 65–85°F (18–29°C)
Humidity: Moderate to high; adapted to humid subtropical zones
Propagation: By seed or cuttings; germinates readily; reseeds freely
Tolerance: Heat and drought tolerant; deer-resistant; suitable for low-maintenance plantings
 
Landscape Use
Best suited for pollinator gardens, native borders, and wildflower meadows. Its long bloom season and wildlife value make it ideal for naturalistic and educational plantings. Pairs well with Gaillardia pulchella, Coreopsis leavenworthii, and Rudbeckia hirta in sunny, moisture-adapted designs.