Salvia Indica, also known as Indian sage, is a perennial flowering plant native to Western Asia including Turkey, Iraq, and Israel. It grows up to about 1-2 feet tall and wide, with dark green leaves and purple flowers.
Salvia Indica belongs to the Lamiaceae family along with other plants like mints, catmint, scented geraniums, rosemary and lavender.
Salvia Indica blooms from late spring to early fall, with most flowers appearing during mid-summer. The typical flowering season for this type of salvia is roughly 80 days long, with some variation depending on growing conditions, but it typically lasts between 60 and 120 days total.
Salvia Indica grows best in dry, hot environments, such as the mountains of Turkey, Israel and Iraq, where it can reach heights of up to three feet. The leaves are dark green and oval shaped, with pointed tips and serrated edges. The flowers are purple and have five petals each.
How to grow and care Salvia Indica?
Sun
The Salvia Indica plant needs full sun to partial shade.
They prefer full sun in warm climates, and can tolerate some shade in cooler areas.
In hot, dry environments, the plant should be provided with a well-drained soil mix with plenty of organic matter (peat moss or coconut coir) to retain moisture.
Water
The Salvia Indica is a drought-tolerant plant, which means that it can survive for long periods of time without water. This can be especially helpful in regions where water is scarce and/or unreliable. But this also makes the plant a good choice for gardens located in regions with more moderate climates, where watering may not be as frequent or consistent.
Soil
Salvia Indica prefers well-drained soil with a pH that falls between 6 and 8.5. The best type of soil for this plant is loamy sand or sandy loam, but it will also tolerate clayey and rocky soils as long as they are well-drained.
Temperature
The salvia plant is a heardy one, it can withstand temperatures as low as −7 degrees Celsius for short periods of time.
Salvia can be grown outdoors year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 11, where they will grow well in full sun. In cooler climates, you’ll need to bring your Salvia indoors during the winter months.
Propagation Methods
Salvia Indica can be easily propagated by seed, cuttings and root division.
Seed:
Seeds are the easiest way to grow a Salvia Indica plant but this method takes longer than other propagation methods.
You can root Salvia Indica seeds in soil in a seed-starting mix and kept at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit until germination occurs.
Soil must be kept moist until seeds germinate, which can take weeks! Seeds should be planted about an inch deep into pots filled with soil that has been soaked with water for several hours before planting.
Seeds should be watered daily until they sprout. Once seedlings have grown their first set of leaves, they can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the ground outdoors if you live in warm climates.
Division:
Division is another method that works well with this species as they produce new growth from their roots every year without fail. When replanting salvia indica, you should make sure that there is enough space between each plant so that it doesn’t crowd out its neighbors or choke itself out by growing too close together.
Cuttings:
Take softwood cuttings in the spring using a sharp knife or pruning shears to make clean cuts on healthy stems near the top of the plant. Remove any leaves from the bottom half of the cutting (these will only serve as food for fungi), then dip each end in rooting hormone before planting them in pots filled with potting soil kept moist until they begin to grow roots (usually within two weeks). Transplant these rooted plants into larger pots as needed.
Pruning
Pruning is the most important aspect of growing Salvia Indica. Pinching out tips, deadheading and pruning back to the ground are all recommended.
Pinching out tips: This method involves pinching off the tips of new growth as soon as they appear. You want to remove just enough of the tip so that it doesn’t flower right away when it grows back in a few weeks or months. This method is best for keeping your plant small and compact, but if left unchecked, it can cause your plant to become leggy and lanky over time.
Deadheading: Deadheading is the act of removing flowers that have already bloomed and faded from plants. The plant will continue to grow and produce new flowers, but you want to make sure that those old ones are removed so the plant doesn’t waste energy on them.
You can deadhead by hand or with tools such as scissors or pruning shears. If you decide to use these tools, make sure that you sterilize them by dipping them into alcohol first before using them on any other plants in order to prevent any diseases from spreading between them!
Pruning Back to the Ground: The best way to prune S. indica is by cutting back to ground level at least once a year during winter months (November or December).
Uses in the Garden
Salvia Indica is a great plant for beginners, as it requires little maintenance once established. It is also a good companion plant to other ornamental plants in the garden, as it attracts many types of beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies. In addition to its usefulness in gardens, Salvia Indica can be made into cut flowers that will last for weeks!
Does deer eat Salvia Indica?
Salvia Indica is deer resistant, but not deer proof. Deer find it distasteful because of its sharp taste, so they will avoid eating it if there is other food available. However, if they have nothing else to eat, they will eat Salvia Indica if they have to.
Also read: What is eating my Salvias & How Keep Them Away From Your Plants
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Pests and Diseases
Foliar nematodes
Foliar nematodes are the most common pest of salvia. It is a microscopic worm that attacks the roots, leaves and stems of plants. The damage caused by the foliar nematodes can be seen in the yellowing or browning of the leaves. The worms also feed on the root system, which results in stunted growth.
Twospotted spider mites
The twospotted spider mite is another pest to be wary of because they can cause serious damage to your plants by feeding on their sap or leaves. They tend to congregate in large numbers on the undersides of leaves and on stems. You’ll know if there are any mites present because you’ll see small speckles on your plant’s leaves or stems.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies tend to be more of an issue for indoor plants than outdoor ones, but if you’re growing your Salvia Indica outdoors in a climate where it gets cold during winter months then you may want to consider bringing inside your house for the winter months so that it doesn’t get too cold for it! Whiteflies will suck nutrients from your plant’s leaves which makes them appear yellowish green; this can cause significant
Grape leafhopper
Grape leafhopper can damage young shoots by sucking out their juices, which causes stunted growth and discoloration. Grape leafhoppers are also known to transmit viruses from one plant to another.
You can prevent most diseases by providing your plants with optimal growing conditions:
Keep soil moist but not soggy at all times, especially during dry periods in spring and summer months when it is important for your plant’s roots to stay hydrated.
Avoid over watering as too much water will cause rot on stems or leaves which could lead to further problems like mildew growth on plant parts where rot has occurred avoiding overwatering will also help prevent root rot.
FAQS
Q: How do I care for Salvia Indica?
A: Salvia Indica prefers full sun, but will tolerate light shade. It needs well-drained soil with plenty of moisture during the growing season but can tolerate dry conditions once it’s established.
It loves organic matter added to it once a year in late winter or early spring before new growth begins (it should be fertilized at least once every three years).
Q: What are some good companion plants for Salvia Indica?
A: You can pair it with other perennials like lavender, rosemary or with annuals like cornflowers or nasturtiums.
Conclusion
Salvia Indica is a great addition to your home garden and will provide you with some beautiful flowers, as well as an excellent source of nectar for your pollinators. It’s also a plant that’s easy to grow and doesn’t require much care or maintenance, which makes it an ideal choice for new gardeners.
