Plant of the Month – April 2025
Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia leucantha
As summer approaches, now is the perfect time to introduce Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia leucantha, into your garden. This hardy, heat-loving perennial thrives in South Florida’s climate, producing soft, gray-green foliage and arching stems covered in velvety purple and white flowers from summer through fall. A favorite among pollinators, its nectar-rich blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies, adding both beauty and ecological value to the landscape. Growing between 1 to 2 feet tall with a spread of up to 3 feet, it forms airy, cascading clumps that work well in borders, mass plantings, or even as a striking accent along walls. Once established, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil with moderate drought tolerance, though occasional watering will promote fuller growth and extended blooming.
Low-maintenance yet high-impact, Mexican Bush Sage requires little care beyond the occasional trim to prevent legginess and promote compact growth. While it remains evergreen in warmer zones, it may die back after a freeze, only to return once temperatures rise. Its long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers, bringing a touch of the garden indoors. Locally, this perennial can be found at Jesse Durko’s Nursery and Reed’s Weeds & Flower Farm. Be sure to add the Mexican Bush Sage to your landscape this April, and summer flowers will follow!
Written by: Gabriella Gilliam, Landscape Designer
