How to Take Care of Salvia Divinorum
Salvia divinorum is in the sage and mint plant family, of which there are close to 900 members. This jungle tropical grows best in warm humid conditions under the dappled shade of taller plants. Salvia divinorum is a perennial plant, which means that it will grow and bloom year after year as long as you protect it from freezing temperatures and harsh dry conditions. All but gardeners in USDA zone 10 and 11 will have to enjoy their salvia as an indoor potted plant, at least in the colder months.
Plant your salvia in a 12 inch pot or larger. Cramped root systems will cause the soil to compact and encourage debilitating root rot.
Fill the bottom of the pot with one inch of gravel. Choose a pot that has several drainage holes in the bottom.
- Salvia divinorum is in the sage and mint plant family, of which there are close to 900 members.
- All but gardeners in USDA zone 10 and 11 will have to enjoy their salvia as an indoor potted plant, at least in the colder months.
Mix coarse sand, compost, peat moss and topsoil in equal parts. Fill the planting pot with this mixture. Good drainage is crucial for raising a healthy salvia divinorum so creating the right soil mix is an important step.
Plant your salvia in the prepared pot. If your current salvia is in cramped poor draining conditions it is important to transplant it into a larger pot with well draining soil. Place the pot on bricks so that air can circulate around the root system.
Mist your plant daily using clean water. Fill a spray bottle and keep it near the plant or use a mist setting on a garden hose.
- Mix coarse sand, compost, peat moss and topsoil in equal parts.
- Fill the planting pot with this mixture.
Place the whole pot into a bucket or tub of water to thoroughly moisten the root system. This should be done as soon as the leaves begin to show signs of wilting.
Fertilize every third or fourth watering using a 5-1-1 fertilizer such as a fish emulsion. Every fifth fertilizing session use a 15-30-15 fertilizer.
Bring your salvia divinorum inside before the first frost occurs. Put the plant in a warm room. Between 60 and 70 degrees F is ideal. Indirect sunlight such as light filtering though an outdoor tree or shrub is best.
- Place the whole pot into a bucket or tub of water to thoroughly moisten the root system.
Tip
If you are planting your salvia divinorum outside, don’t plant it near other sage or mint plants, as it will hybridize easily with the other plants and result in an impure plant.
If you live in a hot dry climate, cover the plant with a clear plastic bag and fasten it at the base of the pot. Put a tall dowel or bamboo stake in the pot to hold the plastic up off the plant. Poke a hole in the top to allow airflow. This will create a mini greenhouse with humid conditions around your plant. Place the pot in dappled shade to avoid poaching the plant.
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Tips
- If you are planting your salvia divinorum outside, don't plant it near other sage or mint plants, as it will hybridize easily with the other plants and result in an impure plant.
- If you live in a hot dry climate, cover the plant with a clear plastic bag and fasten it at the base of the pot. Put a tall dowel or bamboo stake in the pot to hold the plastic up off the plant. Poke a hole in the top to allow airflow. This will create a mini greenhouse with humid conditions around your plant. Place the pot in dappled shade to avoid poaching the plant.
Writer Bio
Eulalia Palomo has been a professional writer since 2009. Prior to taking up writing full time she has worked as a landscape artist and organic gardener. Palomo holds a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Boston University. She travels widely and has spent over six years living abroad.
