Family: Lamiaceae

A similar plant to autumn sage (Salvia greggii) but more compact, shorter, and more spreading. Usually growing about 2’ high and 3’+ wide. Flowers occur in warm weather. Many selections like the pictured ‘hot lips’. Often mistakenly sold as Salvia lemmonii in the trade.

Full to part sun, moderate to regular water, hardy to 5-10°F. Cut back as necessary

Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and many other nectar-seeking insects. Moth larval food plant for the Alfalfa Looper Moth (Autographa californica), Bilobed Looper Moth (Megalographa biloba), Virginian Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Wavy-Lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), the geometrid Pherne subpunctata, and the plume moth (Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla).

There are 1045 species of Salvia all over the world. The genus name, salvia, comes from the Latin word salvia, which is related to the Latin words salvus (safe, healthy, secure) and salvēre (to heal, to feel healthy). The name refers to the medicinal properties of some plants in the genus. The species, microphylla, means small-leaved.

From southeastern Arizona and the mountains of eastern, western, and southern Mexico.

Photo by Michelle, iNaturalist