How to Grow Scarlet Sage Hot Lips
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Scarlet Sage Hot Lips
Salvia splendens 'Hot Lips'
flowerScarlet Sage Hot Lips is a vibrant ornamental flowering plant known for its distinctive two-toned red and white tubular flowers that resemble hot lips. This compact cultivar produces continuous blooms from summer through fall, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. It's a tender perennial often grown as an annual in temperate climates.
When should you plant Scarlet Sage Hot Lips in your zone?
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Example Scarlet Sage Hot Lips timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Scarlet Sage Hot Lips
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Scarlet Sage Hot Lips blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Scarlet Sage Hot Lips dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-11; grown as an annual in zones 3-8
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green seedlings with 2-4 true leaves emerge. Plants remain low and compact.
Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings to prevent damping off.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with oval, medium-green leaves. Height reaches 12-18 inches with branching structure forming.
Pinch growing tips when plants are 4-6 inches tall to encourage bushiness. Feed with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Maintain consistent moisture.
Flowering
12-16 weeks (may be continuous until frost)Distinctive red and white bicolor tubular flowers open in dense spikes. Blooms attract hummingbirds and bees.
Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Water consistently. Feed every 2-3 weeks with bloom fertilizer.
Decline/Frost
VariableFlowering slows as temperatures drop. Plant stops growing or dies back after frost (annuals), or goes dormant (perennials in zones 9-11).
In warm zones, cut back by half in fall/winter to promote new growth. In cold zones, remove plants or allow frost to kill them.
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Use yellow sticky traps. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity and water spray foliage. Apply neem oil or miticide if severe. Prune heavily infested branches.
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Improve air circulation. Apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate spray. Remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering.
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Hand-pick, especially at night. Use copper tape or diatomaceous earth barriers. Remove hiding spots like mulch debris.
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Improve drainage. Allow soil to dry between waterings. Remove affected plants. Treat with fungicide if mild.
Uses
Edible Flowers for Garnish
CulinaryThe individual red and white flowers are edible and make stunning garnishes for salads, desserts, and cocktails. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that adds visual drama to gourmet dishes. [source]
Hummingbird Magnet
WildlifeThe tubular red and white flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds and attract numerous pollinators including bees and butterflies. Continuous blooms provide season-long nectar source for migratory birds. [source]
Cut Flower and Arrangements
HouseholdThe dramatic bicolor flower spikes make excellent fresh-cut arrangements and can be dried for lasting floral designs. Multiple stems per plant provide abundant material for bouquets and floral displays. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalSalvia species have been used in traditional medicine for throat and digestive support. While Hot Lips is primarily ornamental, the genus has documented antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. [source]
Dried Flowers for Crafts
CraftThe flower spikes dry well and can be used in pressed flower art, wreaths, potpourri, and decorative arrangements. Hang bundles upside down in a warm, dry location for 2-3 weeks. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Scarlet Sage Hot Lips is grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead spent flower spikes just below the lowest blooms to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season. Cut flowers last 5-7 days in a vase with fresh water changed every 2 days. Pinch flowers for arrangements when fully open or in bud stage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The 'Hot Lips' name perfectly describes the appearance of the flowers, which look remarkably like two-toned red and white lips—a natural marketing triumph that makes this variety instantly recognizable and conversation-starting in gardens.
- 🌱 Scarlet Sage belongs to the genus Salvia, which includes culinary sage and other medicinal species. The name 'Salvia' comes from the Latin 'salvare' meaning 'to heal,' reflecting the genus's long history of medicinal use.
- 🌱 Hummingbirds can visit this plant dozens of times per day, and a single plant in bloom can support multiple hummingbirds throughout the flowering season, making it one of the most efficient nectar plants for attracting these tiny birds.
Gardening Terms
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