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Salvia

Why is my Salvia dropping its leaves?

It is less common for Salvia to drop leaves, and this usually happens when the plant is not getting enough direct sunlight or is experiencing extreme temperature changes. Check the light levels in your plant's current location first.

Check these first

  1. Move the plant to a brighter, sunnier spot.
  2. Check for cold drafts near the plant's location.
  3. Examine the underside of leaves for aphids.

Likely causes

  1. Insufficient Light

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant looks leggy and the leaves turn yellow before falling off.

    What to do: Move your Salvia to a location where it gets full, direct sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. If you are growing it indoors, a south facing window is usually best.

  2. Temperature Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: Leaves drop suddenly after a cold draft or a sudden change in room temperature.

    What to do: Keep the plant away from drafty windows, doors, or heating vents. Maintain a stable environment between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Find out what's wrong with your salvia

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Worry if the plant is losing more than a few leaves at a time. It is normal for a plant to drop a few leaves when it is adjusting to a new home.

Stopping it coming back

Provide consistent, bright light and keep the plant away from sudden temperature fluctuations.

Keep your salvia healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Will the leaves grow back?
The plant will grow new leaves from the stems if the conditions are corrected. It may take a few weeks to see new growth.
Can aphids cause leaf drop?
Yes, a heavy infestation of aphids can weaken the plant and cause it to drop leaves. Check the new growth for small clusters of insects.

More problems with Salvia

Back to the Salvia guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.