Growing Salvia

The salvia Center
2004
by Salvia Center

Growing salvia divinorum is as easy as growing any other plant. It is very difficult to obtain viable salvia seeds so most people start thier plants by either buying stem clippings with the intention of planting them as root bases or whole plants to cultivate and propagate. Salvia divinorum is a Mexican plant and prefers a hot humid climate. As long as it’s kept in the right environment salvia divinorum will continue growing year round. However if grown outdoors the plant is likely to die come fall and winter. Many growers use humidity chambers and tents to create the ideal environment for growing Salvia.

Even though it rarely produces any seed from its purple flowers, there are several different , relativly easy, methods of rooting a cutting of salvia to grow into a full plant. However the first thing that must be done in any method is to locate the nodes where new shoots will grow on the salvia plant. If the cutting has a tip it is easily oriented because you know which side points up and which side to plant into soil to grow roots. Accidentally starting the cutting upside down will not work very well and will prove to provide problems for starting healthy plants. One way of avoiding having to orient the cutting is to lay the entire cutting on top of soil on its side with the very visible shoot nodes point up and soak the cutting and soil with purified water. Roots will eventually take and new root growth will begin shortly. Another method of promoting root growth is to submerge the majority of the cutting in a vase of water. At least 2/3 of the clippings should be submerged in water for new root growth leaving the top half to grow a new shoot. Rooting medium, a hormone based system can also be helpful in speeding up the development of the plant's root system, simply dip the root end of the cutting into the medium and propogate it as you normally would.

After the root system is developed and a new shoots begin to form from the nodes the salvia plants can survive planting outdoors immediately. It is recommended that if growing salvia divinorum indoors each new plant should be potted separately in large enough containers where transplanting should not be necessary. Salvia plants can grow to be over 3 meters in height with broad leafs extending well over 35cm.

When growing Salvia divinorum plants, a controlled indoor environment (remmber that this sage likes it a hot humid climate) or a humidity tent controlling the environment to suit the needs of the divinorum plant is important. Growing salvia should be in a well lit area kept at a temperature between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity of at least 50%. Organic potting soil works well however there a many different mixtures of soils and fertilizers that may work better. These mixtures can be found at your local garden store, and remember divinorum is legal to grow sage, or mint , you can ask for exact sugestions from the employees at your local garden store without any fear. The soil should be kept damp at all times but do not over water or root rot may occur.

Salvia divinorum plants can be grown outdoors in any warm damp environment. The plant is adaptable and will flourish until the temperature drops. If growing salvia outdoors it is best not to start growing it indoors. Moving a plant out of a controlled environment outside is usually unsuccessful. Unless the plant is given time to adapt to the outside world before a permanent transplantation it is sure to die however if done in slow stages it is possible to move a growing salvia plant outside.

Salvia is an herbaceous plant and like most plants is easy to maintain growing salvia plants but fertilizers never hurt anyone. A nitrogen based fertilizer will increase the growth rate and overall size of the plant. I recommend a fish emulsion or guano as a prime source for nitrogen based fertilizer. Potassium is good to use to promote root growth, and help with many root system problems during transplants; it is also good for keeping the plant healthy and strong while growing.

I have heard of situations were salvia growers have had thier friends over, who knew nothing of diviner's sage, and the friends would ask about the odd looking little growing salvia plant. Some grower/users are reluctant to reveal thier intentions for the plant to thier more "upstanding" friends, but since it is completly legal in the US most people are pretty accepting.

Read More:

Propagating and Growing Salvia
How to Propagate and Grow Salvia
Growing Salvia the Easy way