Salvia chamelaeagnea
Salvia chamelaeagnea
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
For best results, these plants require full sun, well-drained, good garden soil and regular water, especially in winter[1] Plants commence flowering in their second year of growth from seed[1]. Salvia chamelaeagnea is well adapted to survive fires, which regularly sweep though the fynbos vegetation, by resprouting from its woody rootstock[1]. The leaves are dotted with glands which emit a very strong scent when touched and leave a sticky, bitter-tasting residue on fingers[1] Plants can be maintained in the garden for several years, but need to be cut back after flowering to keep them tidy and vigorous[1]
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a seed tray filled with a well-drained medium. The young seedlings grow fast and can be planted into individual containers as soon as they are big enough to handle. They respond well to organic fertilizers and can be planted out as soon as the roots are nice and strong[1], though in areas with cold winters it could be best to grow them on in the nursery for their first winter. The tips of the stems can be pinched to form bushy plants. Cuttings can be made from the young shoots which form at the bottom of the plant in spring and early summer[1] Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Salvia+chamelaeagnea>
Pollinators
Bees
References
- [1]PlantZAfrica.com — http://www.plantzafrica.com ↩︎An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.