How do I keep it blooming?

Regular deadheading of spent flower spikes encourages the plant to produce more blooms.

Does it need pruning?

Light pruning in late winter helps maintain a bushy shape and prevents the plant from becoming woody.

Plant guide

Baby sage.

Salvia microphylla

Pronounced SAL-vee-uh my-kro-FIL-uh

Also known as Baby Sage, Blackcurrant Sage, Graham's Sage

Salvia microphylla — Photo by Brandon Corder (CC BY) via gbif

This charming shrub brings a splash of color to your garden with its vibrant, tubular flowers. It is a tough plant that handles heat and drought quite well once it is established. You will love how it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to your outdoor space.

Another photo of Baby sage — Photo by Eleftherios Katsillis (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring through fall

Care

Plant this sage in a spot with plenty of sunshine and well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet. A light trim after the main bloom helps keep the plant looking tidy and encourages more flowers.

Watering: Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once during the spring to support active growth.
Pruning: Trim back by one third after the first heavy flush of flowers to maintain a bushy shape.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger container once the roots begin to circle the bottom of the pot.
Soil: Well draining, sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -7 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
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 running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is safe for children, though the stems can be somewhat brittle.
Contact allergens: Some people may experience mild skin irritation from the aromatic oils in the leaves.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically considered a major allergen.
Edibility: While the leaves are sometimes used as a tea, ensure the plant has not been treated with pesticides before consumption.

How to identify it

Small, ovate, aromatic green leaves
Tubular flowers in shades of red
Woody base with branching stems
Opposite leaf arrangement on stems

Height: 0.6 to 1.2m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.2m
Leaves: green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: red, pink, magenta, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small sap sucking insects that cluster on new growth.
Root rot · Occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: In colder areas, apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots from deep freezes. Cut back any frost damaged stems only after the danger of frost has passed in spring.
In containers: It grows beautifully in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 30 cm wide.

Softwood cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from a non flowering stem in late spring.
2. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a pot with moist, well draining potting mix.
4. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group this sage with other Mediterranean style plants that prefer lean soil and plenty of sun.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar requirements for sun and well drained soil.
Coneflower · Both plants attract pollinators and thrive in similar garden conditions.

Similar species

Autumn Sage · It is a close relative with similar growth habits and flower colors.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southeastern Arizona and Mexico
Conservation: It is not currently listed as a species of conservation concern.

It thrives in rocky, well drained mountain slopes where it relies on its drought tolerance to survive dry spells.

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I keep it blooming?: Regular deadheading of spent flower spikes encourages the plant to produce more blooms.
Does it need pruning?: Light pruning in late winter helps maintain a bushy shape and prevents the plant from becoming woody.

Where the name comes from

The name Salvia comes from the Latin salvere, meaning to be in good health, while microphylla refers to its small leaves.

Good to know

The flowers are known to change color slightly based on temperature.
It is native to the mountains of southeastern Arizona and Mexico.
The leaves release a pleasant minty scent when crushed.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on November 1, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.