Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea), also called red salvia, scarlet salvia, or tropical sage, is a blooming Florida native. Red, pink, or white flowers attract all kinds of pollinators, a few being hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Keep reading to find out if this native plant is right for you and your garden.
Growing Conditions and Characteristics
Scarlet sage is known for its striking, slender flowers and popularity with pollinators, making it an excellent choice for butterfly gardens, full-sun gardens, ground cover, container gardening, borders, mass plantings, and naturalistic landscapes. Scarlet sage is a warm-season plant that thrives in well-drained soil and grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 11.
Scarlet sage can endure some of the hottest Florida weather, outperforming non-natives and heat-sensitive natives. It grows quickly in the warmer months but slows in growth when the temperatures start to cool in the fall and winter months. Even with slower growth, scarlet sage may bloom year-round if cold weather doesn’t damage the plant. Cut the plants back in the cooler months to encourage growth in the growing season. The flower spikes are an excellent addition to a fresh cut flower arrangement.
Scarlet sage can grow up to 4 feet tall, so make sure to leave room for growth – vertically and horizontally. When planting, space the young plants no less than 24 inches apart. Once established, these charming natives are relatively drought-tolerant and pest/disease-free.
In the right conditions, the plant sports vibrant, wide green leaves and red, pink, or white flowers. The darker-colored flowers can handle full-sun a little better, while the lighter colors will appreciate some partial shade. The flowers are tubular in shape and bloom along a long stem, which gives the plant a lengthy, cone-like shape. The shape of the flower allows pollinators to easily access the sweet nectar and seeds. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds can’t get enough! Deer, on the other hand, will pass. Scarlet sage isn’t really on their menu.
Why Plant Native Species?
Native species typically require less water and maintenance compared to non-native plants, making them more sustainable choices for landscaping. By planting red salvia, gardeners support local wildlife and promote biodiversity. Learn more about planting for your garden, read The 9 Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™.
Want to know more about natives? Read our native series.
Have a question?
If you have any questions about gardening in Central Florida, please contact UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County at 352-518-0156.
Co-Authors: Dr. Whitney Elmore
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More resources
- Dr. Whitney Elmore’s Podcast: Rooted in Florida
- Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants | University of Florida, IFAS
On Gardening Solutions
More from UF/IFAS
- Salvia coccinea: Scarlet Salvia, Scarlet Sage
- Tropical Sage is a Cheerful Little Native Flower–UF/IFAS Blogs Charlotte County
- Tropical Sage, Salvia coccinea–Florida Museum of Natural History
Featured Image Citation Information:
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2025. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
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