Salvias , also know as salvia , are a diverse chemical group of plants that fall in many dissimilar species and varieties . When it comes to their sunlight preferences , most salvias are sun - loving plants . They prosper in full sun , which means they involve at least 6 hour of direct sunlight a day to grow and blossom at their best .

However , it ’s important to take down that not all salvias have the same light requirements . Some salvias can tolerate and even thrive in partial refinement . These variety are often referred to as shade - tolerant salvias . They can handle a few hours of verbatim sunshine but prefer some shadiness during the hottest part of the day .

If you ’re incertain about the specific low-cal necessary of the salvias you have or are planning to grow , it ’s always a dependable idea to check the plant rag or do some enquiry on the special species or diversity . This will give you a better sympathy of their light needs and help oneself you cater the optimal arise conditions .

In my experience as a nurseryman , I have found that most salvia do indeed opt full sun . I have farm a miscellany of salvia in my garden , include Salvia officinalis ( common salvia ) , Salvia nemorosa ( meadow salvia ) , and Salvia guaranitica ( Brazilian sage ) , and they have all performed well when institute in a sunny fix . The leave have been succulent and the flush abundant when give ample sunlight .

However , I have also experimented with arise salvias in fond shade , specifically Salvia coccinea ( scarlet sage ) and Salvia elegans ( pineapple salvia ) . These salvias have shown adept tolerance to shade and still produced blush , although not as profusely as when grow in full sunlight . In area with acute afternoon sun or raging clime , leave some spook during the hot part of the twenty-four hours can facilitate prevent tenseness and wilt in salvias .

In price of dirt requirement , salvia generally favor well - drained land . They do n’t like to have their roots sitting in marshy soil , as it can chair to tooth root rot and other fungous diseases . So , it ’s of import to ensure that the soil is well - draining by adding constituent topic or improving the land social organization if necessary .

While sage are known for their drouth tolerance once established , it ’s important to take down that fresh planted sage will require regular lachrymation until they found a inviolable root system . Once instal , they can withstand periods of drought and are generally low - alimony plant life . Overwatering or excessive use of fertilizers can actually be prejudicious to salvias , as it can top to luxuriant leaf growth at the disbursement of blooming and increase the risk of fungous diseases .

It ’s also deserving mentioning that most salvias prefer slightly acidulous soils . If your soil is importantly alkaline , you may demand to amend it with constitutive issue or use acidifying agent to align the pH degree .

While most salvia prefer full sun and well - drained grime , there are some tint - tolerant mixed bag that can still thrive in partial shade . It ’s significant to consider the specific light requirement of the sage you are uprise and provide the optimal growing conditions accordingly . Once established , salvia are by and large downcast - maintenance and drouth - tolerant plant that bestow beauty and colour to any garden .

Caroline Bates