Mexican bush sage Salvia leucantha
Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family, native to Mexico and Central America. It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 90 cm (35 in) apart.
Plan Mexican bush sage in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mexican bush sage at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 90 cm (35 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, 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 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mexico and Central America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Mexican bush sage toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA; no poisoning reports found.
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 Mexican bush sage
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Mexican bush sage in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (6 plants)
Questions about Mexican bush sage
- How far apart should I plant Mexican bush sage?
- About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Mexican bush sage need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mexican bush sage need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mexican bush sage?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Mexican bush sage flower?
- From about August for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mexican bush sage 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 listed as toxic by the ASPCA; no poisoning reports found.
- What grows well with Mexican bush sage?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mexican bush sage. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Evergreen in frost-free climates; the tops die back in frost and regrow from the base in zones 7 to 8.
- Cut back hard after flowering. Typical garden-form values; cultivars differ.
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