![]() In cooler climates you can enjoy hot lips as an annual, and/or take measures to protect your plant from harsh winters. Expect this bold plant to stir up conversation with friends and family, and keep the birds and bees buzzing! Planting Zonesĭue to craving heat and an aversion to frosts, Hot Lips salvia can be grown as a perennial in zones 7-10. Medium in size, unique sun loving hot lips is a versatile and hardy plant to add to your beds. It is well loved for it’s unique flower, ability to attract pollinators and for its earthy aroma and spicy mint smelling leaves. Hot Lips salvia is a variety of sage that has been in commercial horticulture since the 1990’s. Microphylla, in Latin, means “very small leaves”. Ideal conditions for this sage plant are a dry climate with lots of sun, but they are adaptable to other areas. It is naturally found in dry desert areas (such as southern California and Mexico). The meaning of Salvia Microphylla is small leaved, evergreen sage plant. There are over 900 species in the salvia family, with Hot Lips being one of the brightest and best! This family of plants is made up of shrub like annuals, perennials, and woody shrubs. Salvia is the largest genus in the sage family. The flowers bloom twice in a season: you will see new growth a few weeks after the first rush of flowers fades. In the right conditions they can outgrow their average size (which is approximately 3 feet high by 3 feet wide). The entire plant is a medium sized evergreen bushy shrub. The diamond shaped petals adorn a long stick like branch on the shrub. The petals are small and medium green (not too vibrant yet not overly muted). In hot weather, the entire flower will turn red. In cooler weather, Hot Lips salvia has two toned, striking red and white flowers. Hot Lips salvia are bushy plants with long thin stems that boast bright flowers. Sometimes called “Baby sage”, they can grow in a temperate climate and can also handle a mild drought. Hot Lips salvia is a heat loving flower that blooms from late spring until late summer, and even into fall in many areas. While washing dishes, you’ll enjoy seeing your hummingbird friends drinking nectar from Hot Lips sage throughout the day. Tip for planting: Plant Hot Lips salvia in a sunny, warm spot where you can view the plant from your kitchen window.
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