Growing Salvia farinacea indoors

by Randy
(Dallas, Texas)

Salvia farinacea, Blue Sage

I am currently growing and germinating several flats of Salvia (Blue Mealy) in my indoor greenhouse...the study.

My question is: I have 20- 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" germination pots that have germinated and are out of the dome and under grow lights.

They have their second set of true leaves and are actually sending roots out of the bottom of the pots. There are approx 10 plants per pot.

I plan on putting them into 4" pots this weekend. Do I need to thin them out?

They are very crowded but doing extremely well for a first timer. I plan to transplant them into a backyard flower garden next spring. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

I live in zone 8a..DFW
Thank you!!

Comments for Growing Salvia farinacea indoors

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Dec 08, 2016

Transplant away...
by: Jacki

It sounds like your little plants will do fine under your conditions. At first I thought you were jumping the gun a little, and getting them started much too early to plant into your garden, but in your zone, you may be able to get them outside and hardened off sooner than in colder zones.

Did you look on the package to see what the recommendation for timing is?

So, to transplant them, do thin them. They won't grow very well if they're crowded, and they'll tend to be very spindly and weak. Gently pull them apart, holding only the leaves, which are the expendable part, meaning they'll be able to replace them if they are damaged. Sometimes, it helps to let them dry off a little before you transplant them. Make sure to water them well after you're finished. And, keep them under the grow lights to prevent them getting etiolated.

I would also pinch out the growing tip so they will bush out more and become more compact. Don't worry that you're being mean to them; they love this. It also will remove some of the tender growth and give them a better chance at surviving the trauma.

Good luck with it - your garden will look amazing!

Sep 09, 2019

Growing Salvia farinacea indoors
by: Marie

Has anyone ever tried to bring Salvia farinacea indoors and keep it growing under lights all winter?

Sep 09, 2019

Note to Marie
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

I'm really not sure what the advantage would be to try to grow this plant indoors. With an ultimate height of two to three feet, this would not be a good candidate to grow under lights as there is no way to get light to all the growing parts to keep it healthy. Keep this short lived perennial where it's happiest - outdoors in Zone 8-10, or as an annual elsewhere.

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