Autumn Sage
Salvia greggii
A compact sage that blooms prolifically from spring through fall, keeping hummingbirds and bees happily fed.
Hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and thoroughly at home in the low desert; evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild winters, hardy well below freezing, and adaptable low to mid elevation.
AMWUA Notes
A workhorse moderate-water perennial that blooms from spring to fall and feeds hummingbirds on modest irrigation.
Care Guide
Water every 1-2 weeks in summer; drought tolerant once established, it blooms nonstop with occasional deep soaks and good drainage.
Shear back by a third after each bloom flush to keep it dense and flowering; give it a hard renewal cut in late winter to prevent a woody, open base.
Little needed; a light spring feed can support the long bloom in poor soil.
Very clean — its foliage is largely ignored by pests, rabbits, and deer.
Evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild winters, blooming spring through fall; the heaviest flushes come in spring and again in the cooler fall.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Lean, well-drained rocky or gravelly soils; tolerant of poor ground; excellent drainage keeps it long-lived.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Cuttings or seed; softwood cuttings root easily. Not typically divided.
2 ft
Minimal; a tidy woody-based subshrub with no invasive roots. Renew hard every few years to avoid a woody base.
Placement Tips
- •Use as a reliable, long-blooming filler in borders, containers, and hummingbird gardens.
- •Shear regularly and mass in threes for a tidy, continuously flowering low hedge.
- •Site near windows and patios so the near-constant hummingbird visits are easy to enjoy.
- •Full sun and reflected heat are fine; excellent drainage keeps it long-lived.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Autumn Sage? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
Talk to a Dream BuilderGet a Project EstimateAlready a Client?
Use this care guide to maintain your Autumn Sage. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Autumn Sage — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Autumn Sage need in Phoenix?
Autumn Sage is a moderate-water perennial once established. Water every 1-2 weeks in summer; drought tolerant once established, it blooms nonstop with occasional deep soaks and good drainage. A workhorse moderate-water perennial that blooms from spring to fall and feeds hummingbirds on modest irrigation.
How big does Autumn Sage get?
Expect roughly 2 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2 ft of spacing when planting. Minimal; a tidy woody-based subshrub with no invasive roots. Renew hard every few years to avoid a woody base.
Can you plant Autumn Sage near a pool?
Yes. Autumn Sage is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Autumn Sage handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Autumn Sage is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants partial shade. Hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and thoroughly at home in the low desert; evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild winters, hardy well below freezing, and adaptable low to mid elevation. Evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild winters, blooming spring through fall; the heaviest flushes come in spring and again in the cooler fall.
Does Autumn Sage have thorns?
No. Autumn Sage is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Autumn Sage safe around pets?
Autumn Sage is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Autumn Sage bloom in Arizona?
Autumn Sage blooms in spring-fall, with red/coral flowers. The bloom draws bees, hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Autumn Sage need?
Autumn Sage is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear back by a third after each bloom flush to keep it dense and flowering; give it a hard renewal cut in late winter to prevent a woody, open base.
What kind of soil does Autumn Sage need?
Lean, well-drained rocky or gravelly soils; tolerant of poor ground; excellent drainage keeps it long-lived. Nutrient needs are low. Little needed; a light spring feed can support the long bloom in poor soil.
Is Autumn Sage native to Arizona?
No. Autumn Sage is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Central/West Texas, Northeastern Mexico, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.