Does it need fertilizer?

It prefers lean soil and usually does not require supplemental fertilizer.

Plant guide

Autumn sage.

Salvia greggii

Pronounced SAL-vee-uh GREG-ee-eye

Also known as San Antone-oregano, autumn sage

Autumn sage is a lovely, woody perennial that brings vibrant color to dry, sunny gardens. It thrives in heat and attracts hummingbirds with its nectar rich blooms. This plant is a fantastic choice for xeriscaping.

Another photo of Autumn sage — Photo by Ricardo Jaimes-López (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Subshrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 90 cm tall by 90 cm wide
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to first frost

Care

Plant in well-draining soil to prevent root rot, as this sage dislikes sitting in water. Prune back lightly after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second show in the fall. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings once established.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Cut back by one third in late winter to maintain a compact shape.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root-bound in its container.
Soil: Sandy, rocky, or well-draining loam
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -12 to 40°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children regarding this plant.
Edibility: While the flowers are technically edible, they are mostly grown for their ornamental value and should be avoided if treated with pesticides.

How to identify it

Small, oval, aromatic green leaves
Tubular flowers in various colors
Woody, multi-stemmed base
Opposite leaf arrangement

Height: 0.6 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.6 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: red, pink, white, purple, coral, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, fall
Overwintering: Cut back by one third in late winter to refresh the plant for spring growth. Ensure the soil is well drained to prevent winter rot.
In containers: It grows well in pots at least 30 centimeters wide, provided the soil is very well draining.

Softwood Cuttings

Take a 10 centimeter cutting in late spring.
Remove the lower leaves.
Place in moist, sandy soil until roots form.

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant perennials to create a low maintenance garden that thrives on neglect.

Grows well with

Blackfoot Daisy · They share similar water and light requirements in a sunny garden.
Purple Coneflower · The contrasting colors and textures look great together in a pollinator border.

Similar species

Mealycup Sage · It offers a similar growth habit but with blue or violet flower spikes.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Texas and Northern Mexico.
Conservation: It is not of conservation concern as it is widespread in its native range.

It grows on dry, rocky slopes where it relies on its deep root system to survive periods of intense heat and drought.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: pollinator garden, xeriscape, border plant, container gardening

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I prune it?: Lightly prune after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second wave of blooms.
Does it need fertilizer?: It prefers lean soil and usually does not require supplemental fertilizer.

Where the name comes from

The name honors Josiah Gregg, a 19th century merchant and amateur botanist who collected the plant in Texas.

Good to know

It is commonly called Autumn Sage because it puts on a massive show of color as the weather cools.
The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds throughout the summer.
It is native to the rocky slopes of Texas and Mexico.
It is very drought tolerant once established.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.