Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia leucantha

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

Salvia leucantha is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1.2 m (4ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The flowers are pollinated by Butterflies, Humming birds. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Present in tropical and sub-tropical pine forests across much of central and eastern Mexico.

C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, southern and eastern Mexico

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Europe, North America

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Mexican sage is not usually considered to be a culinary sage, but further information on culinary uses for sage plants may be found at Common Sage.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The plant is said to have medicinal virtues, but no details are given. Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) and many other salvias have a wide variety of medicinal uses, and Mexican sage may have been used for similar purposes where it grows locally. Mexican sage has been found to contain specific sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and other compounds (S. leucantha is rich in the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons?; _-caryophyllene, _-guaiene, cis-muurola-3,5-diene, germacrene D, and bicyclogermacrene. Bornyl acetate constituted 23.9% of the oil.).

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry Uses: The plant is sometimes grown as a low hedge. Ornamental: it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Garden Design: Prairie and Meadow, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden. Cut flowers. Containers. Flowers attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Resistant to deer and rabbits.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Salvia leucantha is native to the subtropics and tropics of Mexico and Mesoamerica. It is a bushy evergreen sub-shrub that grows in a loose, spreading mound. It is not very resistant to frosts but can tolerate occasional light ones. The top growth will often be killed off if temperatures fall below zero for more than short periods. However, root growth will survive if temperatures do not fall below -8°c for more than short periods - new development will then resprout from the base when the weather warms up. In colder climates with hot summers, the plant can be grown from seed as a summer-flowering annual . A low-maintenance plant. Salvia leucantha grows well in an average to rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun . It tolerates some light afternoon shade but generally is best when grown in full sun. It also handles some drought but does best with regular moisture . Heat zone 4-12. Sometimes grown as a hedge.

Propagating it: Propagation is by cuttings or dividing the mound into several clumps.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 8-10

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Impacts: It is present in tropical and subtropical pine forests across much of central and eastern Mexico. In East Africa, it has escaped cultivation, forming dense stands that may have a negative impact on native plants and their associated organisms in some areas. Invades roadsides, gardens and urban open space.

Its other names

Local names

Mexican Bush Sage 'Mystic Spires', Mexican Bush Sage 'Roman Red'

Synonyms

S. bicolor Sessé & Moc. [Illegitimate]. S. leucantha f. iobaphes Fernald.