Salvia (Scarlet Sage) in Zone 5a & 5b

Salvia splendens

When to plant salvia (scarlet sage) in zone 5b

Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Salvia (Scarlet Sage) needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.

Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.

Salvia (scarlet sage) is a long-season bloomer that doesn't quit. Once established it flowers steadily from late spring until frost, which makes it one of the more reliable season-long pollinator draws in the garden. The flowers themselves are narrow, upright spikes of tubular blooms, usually red, packed onto 1.5- to 3-foot plants.

How salvia (scarlet sage) fits zone 5's season

Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Salvia (Scarlet Sage) needs about 80 days from transplant to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Salvia (Scarlet Sage).

Where to buy salvia seeds

• Botanical Interests
• True Leaf Market
• Burpee
• High Mowing Organic Seeds

See why we recommend these suppliers →

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing salvia (scarlet sage)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Salvia (Scarlet Sage) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.

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