Anise-scented sage Salvia guaranitica
ABOUT
S. guaranitica is a sub-shrub with branched, dark green stems and hairy, wrinkled leaves. Deep blue flowers, up to 5cm long, with purplish calyces, are borne in spikes from late summer to late autumn
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Anise-Scented Sage, Blue Anise Sage, Brazilian Blue Sage, Sapphire Sage
Common names
Salvia coerulea, Salvia menthifolia, Salvia napifolia, Salvia tweedieana, Sphacele guaranitica.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
4-5 feet [1.2-1.5 meters]
Spread
2-3 feet [0.6-0.9 meters]
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Salvia guaranitica, commonly known as blue anise sage, is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing a food source for these important pollinators.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its striking deep blue or purplish flowers, blue anise sage adds a splash of color and visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this plant is quite drought-tolerant, making it suitable for water-wise gardening and xeriscaping.
- Low Maintenance: Blue anise sage generally requires minimal care once established, making it a convenient choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Fragrance: The leaves of the blue anise sage release a pleasant anise-like scent when crushed or brushed against, contributing to the sensory experience of a garden.
- Deer Resistance: This plant is known to be resistant to deer, making it a good choice for gardens in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Long Blooming Season: Blue anise sage has a long flowering period, often from mid-summer to frost, providing long-lasting color in the garden.
- Erosion Control: The plant's robust root system can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and banks.
Medical Properties- Analgesic: Salvia guaranitica has been traditionally used for its pain-relieving properties.
- Anti-inflammatory: Components within the plant are known to help reduce inflammation.
- Antioxidant: The plant contains compounds that help in fighting free radicals, potentially preventing various diseases.
- Antimicrobial: It has been reported that Salvia guaranitica exhibits antimicrobial activity against certain types of bacteria and fungi.
- Anxiolytic: Some sources suggest that the plant may have mild anxiety-reducing effects.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Salvia guaranitica, commonly known as 'Black and Blue' salvia or blue anise sage, can be used in natural dyeing processes, where the leaves may provide a range of greenish hues.
- The plant is sometimes incorporated into butterfly gardens due to its high nectar content, which attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- The flowers of 'Black and Blue' salvia can be used as edible decorations for salads and desserts, adding a splash of color and a subtle minty flavor.
- 'Black and Blue' salvia can serve as a cover crop in agricultural practices, as it can grow quickly and help suppress weeds due to its dense foliage.
- This plant species may be used in companion planting, as it can potentially deter certain pests with its strong scent, protecting neighboring plants.
- Landscape designers often use 'Black and Blue' salvia as a border plant or for creating color contrast in gardens due to its vibrant blue flowers.
- Some people use the cut stems of 'Black and Blue' salvia as a natural rodent repellent because of the plant's aromatic properties.
- In some cultures, the plant is used as part of religious or spiritual rituals because of its colorful and eye-catching nature.
- The flowers of 'Black and Blue' salvia can be used in crafts, such as pressed flower art, because of their distinct shape and color retention when dried.
- Enthusiasts of natural insect deterrents sometimes plant 'Black and Blue' salvia near outdoor seating areas to enjoy its reputed ability to repel mosquitoes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Blue Anise Sage is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Blue Anise Sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing and Protection: Salvia guaranitica, commonly known as Black and Blue Salvia, often symbolizes healing due to its medicinal properties in traditional herbal practices, and it is believed to offer protection against negative influences.
- Wisdom and Immortality: As a member of the sage family, Black and Blue Salvia is also associated with wisdom and the quest for immortality, drawing on the historical use of sage for mental clarity and longevity.
- Spirituality: Black and Blue Salvia has been used in spiritual rituals and ceremonies for cleansing and purifying spaces, representing spiritual growth and enlightenment.
- Energy and Activity: The vibrant blue and purple colors of the flowers can symbolize high energy and activity, making it a symbol of dynamic vitality.
WaterBlue Anise Sage requires regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during hot and dry periods. Watering should be done deeply and thoroughly to encourage root growth, which typically means applying about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, depending on climate conditions. It's best to water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and allow foliage to dry out, which helps prevent fungal diseases. Overhead irrigation should be avoided to keep the leaves dry; instead, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation at the base of the plants. During the cooler months or in periods of rainfall, reduce the amount of water to prevent waterlogging.
LightBlue Anise Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is one where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, with some afternoon shade in hot climates to protect it from intense heat. If grown indoors, placing it near a south or west-facing window will ensure it gets enough light.
TemperatureBlue Anise Sage performs well in a wide range of temperatures but prefers a temperate climate. It can survive minimum temperatures of about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but ideally, it should be grown in conditions where temperatures range between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not frost-tolerant and should be protected or moved indoors if temperatures are expected to drop below the minimum threshold.
PruningBlue Anise Sage should be pruned to promote bushier growth, remove spent flowers, and maintain its shape. Deadheading, or the removal of faded flowers, encourages continuous blooming throughout the season. Prune back the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth begins; this helps to stimulate fresh, vigorous growth. Heavier pruning can be done every few years to rejuvenate older plants.
SoilBlue Anise Sage prefers rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. For best growth, mix garden soil with compost and perlite or coarse sand to enhance drainage.
RepottingBlue Anise Sage should be repotted every 1 to 2 years or when it outgrows its current pot, typically in the spring.
Humidity & MistingBlue Anise Sage thrives in moderate to high humidity levels, but it's adaptable and can tolerate lower humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Full sun to part shade and ensure soil drainage.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleSalvia guaranitica, commonly known as the blue anise sage, begins its life as a seed that, once sown, germinates in warm conditions with adequate moisture. The seedling stage is marked by the emergence of the first pair of true leaves, which will grow and develop into a young plant. As it enters the vegetative stage, blue anise sage develops a robust root system and foliage, and it can be encouraged to bush out through pinching or pruning. Upon reaching maturity, the plant initiates the flowering stage, typically in late spring to early summer, showcasing its striking deep blue to purple flowers that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers will produce small nutlet fruits containing seeds, completing its reproductive cycle. Blue anise sage may die back in colder climates during the winter but can behave as a perennial in warmer zones, regrowing from its base the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Blue Anise Sage, otherwise known as Salvia guaranitica, is usually propagated by cuttings. The ideal time for taking cuttings is in spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by cuttings, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 4 to 6-inch (approximately 10 to 15 cm) length, making sure several leaf nodes are included. Strip away the lower leaves and dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to enhance root development. Then, plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix, making sure at least one node is below the soil surface where roots can develop. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and in a few weeks, the cutting will start to form roots, at which point it can eventually be transplanted into the garden or a larger pot.
