# Salvia (*Salvia splendens*)

Salvia, or sage, has tall spikes of colorful flowers that dance in the breeze. They are great for attracting hummingbirds!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and sunny spots
- **Also known as:** Scarlet Sage

![Salvia](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426876/objects/4977.jpg)

## Appearance

The Salvia has vibrant, fiery red tubular flowers clustered tightly on tall, upright spikes, rising above deep green, slightly wrinkled leaves. Its brilliant color and distinctive upright form make it easily recognizable in gardens.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Genus:** Salvia

## Interesting facts

- Salvia flowers come in almost every rainbow color, not just red, purple, and blue!
- Salvia seeds can be sticky, hitching rides on animals to spread far and wide!
- Some Salvia leaves have tiny hairs that protect them from strong sun and thirsty bugs.
- The name "Salvia" comes from Latin, meaning 'to heal' or 'to save'!

## Special abilities

- **Nectar Beacon:** Salvia's long, brightly colored, tubular flowers are perfectly shaped to attract hummingbirds for pollination.
- **Thirsty Plant Survivor:** Some Salvia species can grow in dry conditions by storing water in their leaves and roots to survive hot days.
- **Fragrance Force Field:** Many Salvia species release strong scents from their leaves, which can help deter hungry animals from nibbling.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-90 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Bird

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** [Ruby-throated Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruby-throated-hummingbird) (*Archilochus colubris*) — sips nectar while carrying pollen between flowers
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen, aiding reproduction
- **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — visits flowers for nectar, spreading pollen around
- **Eaten by:** Cotton Aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — sucks sap from leaves, potentially harming the plant

## Traits

- [Perennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/perennial): Perennial plants live for more than two years, typically returning to grow and bloom each year from their roots.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Tube Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tube-flower): A tube flower has petals fused together at the base, forming a distinct tubular structure that typically holds nectar deep within.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Salvia?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Salvia?

30-90 cm

### How wide does Salvia spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Salvia?

2-4 cm

### When does Salvia bloom?

Summer

### Is Salvia edible?

No

### Is Salvia toxic?

None

### What is Salvia's lifecycle?

Annual

## Where to spot

- [Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tottori-hanakairo-flower-park) — Chugoku, JP · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Salvia: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/salvia)