Tropical Sage
Salvia coccinea
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Sep 18, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Tropical Sage
Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea) is a short-lived native perennial or subshrub bearing tall spikes of vivid scarlet tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the warm season. Native to the southeastern United States and tropical America, it self-seeds freely and naturalizes in gardens. Starting at $2.29.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- Red, Pink, White
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Clay, Acidic, Alkaline, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
May lose some foliage in cold snaps.
Care essentials
Grow in full sun to part sun; Salvia coccinea blooms most prolifically with 6+ hours of direct sun in NE Florida. It tolerates light shade but flowering is noticeably reduced — place it where it receives at least morning sun.
Drought-tolerant once established in NE Florida's sandy soils; water regularly for the first season, then reduce to supplemental irrigation only during extended dry spells. Avoid overwatering — well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot in Florida's wet summers.
Thrives in any well-drained soil from sandy to clay; no heavy amendment needed in NE Florida. Apply a light balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) once in spring; excess nitrogen produces leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Allow plants to self-seed for naturalized reseeding each season.
Similar needs
Elderberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Marlberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Redbud
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Saltbush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Sugarberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Wall Germander
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Tropical Sage a good plant for St. Augustine?
Tropical Sage is a perennial for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-4 feet × 1-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.