Scarlet Sage Flower Seeds – Salvia coccinea

Bring brilliant scarlet flowers and visiting hummingbirds to your garden with Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea). Loose whorls of tubular red blooms rise along upright spikes, creating an airy display above green foliage. Plant beside a patio or through a sunny border to enjoy summer color and butterflies moving among the flowers.

Plant highlights

• Botanical name: Salvia coccinea.
• Common name: Scarlet Sage.
• Flowers: Showy scarlet-red tubes, approximately 1 inch long, arranged along upright spikes.
• Height: Approximately 24–36 inches, depending on conditions.
• Foliage: Triangular leaves arranged opposite one another on square stems.
• Bloom season: Early summer to first frost under favorable conditions.
• Life cycle: Perennial in warm climates; commonly grown as an annual where winters freeze.
• Light and soil: Full sun and well-drained soil, with a suggested pH of 5.5–6.5.
• Uses: Bedding displays, borders, pollinator plantings, and containers.

Choose your seed pack

Available options are 200 seeds, 1,000 seeds, a 1/4 oz pack, or a 1 oz pack. One ounce contains approximately 17,200 seeds; actual counts vary. Weight-based packs are sold by weight. This listing is for ornamental planting seeds, not live plants or culinary sage.

Starting seeds indoors

For an early start, sow indoors approximately 10 weeks before your last expected frost. Use clean seed-starting mix in trays or small pots.

• Depth: Press seeds into the surface and barely cover, approximately 1/16 inch deep. Light is needed for germination.
• Temperature: Aim for approximately 68–75°F.
• Germination: Usually 10–30 days under suitable conditions.
• Moisture: Keep the mix evenly moist, not saturated.
• After germination: Provide bright light and gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions before planting out.

Direct sowing and transplanting

Sow outdoors in spring after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed. Weed and loosen the planting area, sow shallowly, and water gently so the seeds are not washed away. Keep seeds and young seedlings moist until established.

Transplant or thin to approximately 12–18 inches apart in a sunny location. Direct sowing works best where warm conditions support establishment.

Garden care and flowering

Water during dry weather and avoid persistently waterlogged soil. Trim faded flower spikes to encourage a fresh flush of blooms. Plants tolerate summer heat, but young seedlings still need consistent moisture while roots develop.

Scarlet Sage can self-sow in favorable conditions. Leave some seed heads if you would like volunteer seedlings, or remove them before seed dispersal to limit reseeding. Winter survival and repeat displays depend on local temperatures and growing conditions.

Growing in containers

• Container: Choose a stable pot with drainage holes and enough room for plants that can reach 24–36 inches tall.
• Potting mix: Use a well-draining container mix rather than heavy garden soil.
• Placement: Position in full sun and acclimate indoor-grown seedlings gradually.
• Watering: Check moisture frequently during hot or windy weather. Water when the upper layer begins to dry and allow excess water to drain away.
• Feeding: If needed, use a fertilizer labeled for flowering container plants according to its directions, accounting for feed already in the mix.
• Maintenance: Trim spent spikes for a tidy display and renewed flowering. Avoid crowding plants in mixed planters.

Planning larger plantings

The existing sowing guidance recommends approximately 4 ounces per 1,000 square feet or 9 pounds per acre. These are approximate rates; coverage depends on seedbed preparation and planting method. Plan around local frost dates rather than assuming this warm-climate perennial will overwinter in every garden.