Mealycup sage (blue salvia) Salvia farinacea
Mealycup sage (blue salvia) (Salvia farinacea) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family, native to Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico. It grows 45–90 cm (18–35 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
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Mealycup sage (blue salvia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 45–90 cm (18–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 13–20 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Mealycup sage (blue salvia) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mealycup sage (blue salvia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Mealycup sage (blue salvia)
- How far apart should I plant Mealycup sage (blue salvia)?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
- Does Mealycup sage (blue salvia) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mealycup sage (blue salvia) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mealycup sage (blue salvia)?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Mealycup sage (blue salvia) flower?
- From about June for 13–20 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mealycup sage (blue salvia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Mealycup sage (blue salvia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mealycup sage (blue salvia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- A half-hardy annual in cool climates: sow under glass in spring and plant out after the last frost.
- A perennial only in mild winters and bedded out as an annual further north. Dense spikes of violet-blue flowers on mealy, whitish stems that dry well.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Mint Mentha spicata
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare