Growing Sizzler Series Salvia Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Salvia splendens
- Seed Type: Annual (perennial in optimal humid climates)
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Most home gardens do not have the warm, tropic conditions to sow salvia seeds directly. However, for annual blooming, start salvia seeds indoors 6 – 8 weeks before final frost. Seeds will germinate with full lighting in 14 – 21 days. Once germinated, transplant seedlings to indoor container or “harden off” if transplanting outside to a suitable environment. For outdoor sowing, salvia will grow as a perennial in warm, humid gardens.
- Days to Maturity: 63 – 77 days
- Hardiness Zone: 9 – 11
- Planting Depth: Plant 3 – 4 seeds ¼” deep
- Plant Spacing: 8 – 10” apart
- Growth Habit: 12” tall compact upright 8 – 10” wide with one lush blooming stalk
- Soil Preference: Average, evenly moist, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun – partial shade
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Salvia thrives in warm, humid gardens and will show signs of wilting in cooler and drier climates. No serious pests or diseases.
- Color: Burgundy, Purple, Red, or Mix
Most North American home gardens do not have the warm, tropic conditions to sow salvia seeds directly. However, for annual blooming, start salvia Sizzler Series seeds indoors 6 – 8 weeks before final frost. Sizzler Series salvia will germinate with full lighting in 14 – 21 days. Once germinated, transplant seedlings to indoor container or “harden off” if transplanting outside to a suitable environment. For outdoor sowing, plant 3 – 4 salvia Sizzler Series seeds ¼” deep with 8 – 10” apart in average, evenly moist, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Salvia will grow as a perennial in warm, humid gardens and will show signs of wilting in cooler and drier climates. Salvia plants have no serious pests or diseases. Sizzler Series salvia seeds mature in as quickly as 63 – 77 days as 12” tall compact uprights with an 8 – 10” spread and one lush blooming stalk of either burgundy, purple, red, or mixed.
Salvia splendens is native to Brazil and thrives in high year-round humidity, growing naturally at elevations between 6,500 and 10,000 feet. Wild and natural salvia plants usually reach up to 48” tall, while the world's most popular and commercial varieties used as decorative bedding plants at many shopping malls usually only reach as high as 12 – 16.”