Scarlet Sage Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph' (Nymph Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Coral Nymph, a variety within the Nymph Series, is a striking plant that boasts a captivating blend of color and form. The most prominent feature of this plant is its exquisite blooms, which are a soft coral pink shade with a touch of white, giving them an ethereal quality. These two-toned flowers present a delicate appearance with their tubular shape, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with their vibrant colors and sweet nectar. The foliage of the Coral Nymph complements its flowers with a lush, green backdrop. The leaves are typically ovate, meaning they are broader at the base and narrower toward the tip, with a somewhat wrinkled texture that adds depth and interest to the plant's overall appearance. The leaves may also have a slightly serrated edge, creating a subtle yet visually appealing detail. The plant has a branching habit, which allows the stems to splay out gracefully, giving the Coral Nymph a full and lush look. The flowering stems rise above the foliage, each bloom perched atop its own slender stalk, dancing with the slightest breeze. The arrangement of the blooms along the stems is such that the plant maintains a continuous display of color, as new flowers emerge while others fade. Overall, the Coral Nymph exudes a cottage garden charm, with its soft hues and inviting shape making it a favored choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color and a touch of whimsy to their garden beds or containers. Its visual appeal is enhanced when planted in masses, where its blooms can create an enchanting drift of coral and white.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Lamiaceae.
- Synonyms
  Scarlet Sage, Texas Sage, Blood Sage, Hummingbird Sage, Tropical Sage.
- Common names
  Salvia coccinea, Salvia coccinea var. coccinea.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Scarlet Sage, the common name for Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph', is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of this plant typically does not lead to poisoning or produce serious symptoms. However, individual reactions can vary, and it is always advisable to avoid ingesting any part of ornamental plants. If large quantities were ingested, one might experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort -- a common symptom for ingesting non-edible plant matter -- but significant toxic effects are not characteristic of Scarlet Sage.
- To pets
  Scarlet Sage, which is Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph', is not known to be toxic to pets either. It is generally deemed safe for cats, dogs, and other household animals. However, as with humans, ingestion of plant material can sometimes cause minor gastrointestinal upset in some pets. If a pet were to consume a large amount of Scarlet Sage, they might experience symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, but overall, the plant is not expected to cause serious or long-lasting health issues in pets.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Coral
- Height
  2 feet (60 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  Mexico Central America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph' is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing a valuable nectar source for these beneficial pollinators.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is tolerant of a wide range of soils and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is very drought resistant, reducing the need for frequent watering and making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Long Blooming: The 'Coral Nymph' variety has a long flowering season, often from late spring to frost, adding color to the garden for an extended period.
- Ornamental Value: With its striking coral-pink and white flowers and lush green foliage, it adds aesthetic appeal to any landscape or garden setting.
- Edging and Borders: Its compact and upright growth habit makes it a great choice for edging paths or for use in garden borders, helping to define garden spaces.
- Pot and Container Gardening: It is suited for container gardening, allowing those with limited space such as balconies or patios to enjoy its beauty.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Art and Craft Projects: The vibrant petals of Scarlet Sage can be used in dried flower crafts, such as making potpourri, bookmarks, or decorative wreaths, to add a splash of color.
- Natural Fabric Dye: The flowers and leaves can be boiled to produce a natural dye that imparts a reddish hue to fabrics and yarn.
- Garden Borders: Due to its compact size and colorful flowers, Scarlet Sage is excellent for creating striking borders in garden landscapes.
- Pollinator Garden Essential: Planting Scarlet Sage in gardens can attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, promoting pollination in the surrounding area.
- Edible Garnish: The flowers are edible and can be used as a decorative garnish on salads and desserts to add a pop of color to the presentation.
- Photography Subject: With its bright flowers, Scarlet Sage makes a beautiful subject for botanical photography and can be used to teach composition in nature photography workshops.
- Educational Tool: Scarlet Sage is an excellent plant to use in educational settings to teach students about plant anatomy, the life cycle of flowers, and the importance of pollinators.
- Companion Planting: It can be used in vegetable gardens as a companion plant to attract pollinators, which can increase the yield of vegetables that require pollination.
- Fragrance Addition in Candles: The light fragrance of Scarlet Sage can be captured in candle-making, contributing a subtle floral note to homemade candles.
- Theme Gardens: Scarlet Sage can be incorporated into theme gardens, such as a red garden theme or a hummingbird garden, due to its specific attributes and appeal to wildlife.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Texas sage, also known as Salvia coccinea, can be used to enhance positive chi in the garden due to its vibrant red flowers, which can attract beneficial energy. In Feng Shui, red is considered a lucky color, often associated with good fortune and joy. Place Texas sage in the south sector of your garden or home to ignite fame and reputation enhancements or in the southwest to improve love and relationship luck.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Texas sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Healing - Salvia, commonly known as Sage, has been associated with healing, purification, and medicinal properties.
- Wisdom - Historically, sage is symbolic of wisdom and was often associated with acquiring knowledge and a high level of intellect.
- Longevity - Sage plants, including the 'Coral Nymph,' can symbolize longevity and immortality, possibly due to their hardy nature and evergreen status in some climates.
- Spiritual Awakening - Some cultures believe that sage is capable of evoking spiritual awareness and inner peace.
- Protection - Burning sage is traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits and negative energies, suggesting that the plant is symbolic of protection and safety.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 1-2 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Texas Sage should be watered regularly, especially during hot, dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. A good approach is to water deeply once a week, providing about one inch of water, which equates to approximately 0.6 gallons per square foot. During extreme heat, increase watering frequency to twice per week, but reduce the amount if rainfall occurs. Allow the top inch of the soil to dry out before watering again to prevent overwatering and root rot.
Light
Texas Sage thrives in full sun, which means it needs more than 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for the plant is an open area where it receives unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. If grown indoors, place it near a south-facing window to ensure enough light.
Temperature
Texas Sage prefers warm climates and does well in temperatures ranging from 60°F to 85°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around 50°F, but frost can severely damage the plant. The ideal growth temperature is within the 70°F to 80°F range.
Pruning
Pruning Texas Sage is important to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and stimulate more flowering. Prune in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins, removing any dead or damaged branches and cutting back up to one-third of the plant to keep it compact. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, can be done throughout the blooming season to promote continuous blooms.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Scarlet Sage, also known as Tropical Sage, is well-draining, loamy, and enriched with organic matter. A mixture of two parts potting soil, one part perlite, and one part compost would be ideal. The optimal pH range for Scarlet Sage is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Repotting
Scarlet Sage should be repotted every 1 to 2 years to replenish the soil and accommodate the growth of the plant. It's best to repot during the springtime when the plant is coming out of its dormant period.
Humidity & Misting
Scarlet Sage prefers moderate humidity levels. While it can adapt to a range of humidity conditions, maintaining indoor humidity between 40-50% is generally beneficial for the plant's health.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Scarlet Sage in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant in well-draining soil, full to part sun, and water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  8-10 USDA
Life cycle
Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph', commonly known as Texas Sage, begins its life cycle with germination, where the seeds sprout in warm, moist soil conditions. The seedlings then develop into young plants with characteristic green foliage and begin to form a root system. As they mature, these sages enter a vegetative state where they grow rapidly and produce more leaves, preparing for reproductive maturity. Upon reaching reproductive maturity, Coral Nymph produces vibrant, coral-pink flowers that attract pollinators, necessary for the plant's sexual reproduction process. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules that eventually dry and release seeds, completing the life cycle. In perennial growing zones, the plant may then enter a period of dormancy during colder months before resuming growth in the spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- The most popular method of propagation for Scarlet Sage, especially the 'Coral Nymph' variety, is through seed. The optimal time to sow Scarlet Sage seeds is in late winter to early spring, ahead of the last frost date. For best results, the seeds should be lightly covered with soil as they need darkness to germinate. Placing the seeds in a warm area, around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 21 to 24 degrees Celsius), will encourage germination, which usually occurs within two to three weeks. After the seedlings have grown strong enough and the danger of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors to enjoy through the flowering season.