Salvia cacaliifolia

RHS Plant Profile
Guatemalan leaf sage

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Guatemalan leaf sage RHS 1993

Other common names

cacalia sage

Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial
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An erect herbaceous perennial to 90cm in height, with triangular leaves and large panicles of vivid deep blue, 2-lipped flowers 2cm in length in early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Grow outdoors in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade in a frost-free border. Protect from excessive winter wet. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-hardwood in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots