Mexican Bush Sage

Description: Mexican Bush Sage is prized for its striking appearance, featuring long spikes of velvety purple or white flowers that emerge from fuzzy, silver-green foliage. The flowers are tubular and arranged in dense whorls along the upright stems, creating a spectacular display in the garden. Blooms typically appear from late summer through fall, attracting pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. The leaves of Mexican Bush Sage are lance-shaped, deeply veined, and have a soft, fuzzy texture.

Size: Mexican Bush Sage typically grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet (about 0.9 to 1.2 meters) and spreads of 2 to 3 feet (about 0.6 to 0.9 meters) at maturity. However, individual plants may vary in size depending on growing conditions, climate, and cultural practices. Mexican Bush Sage has a bushy growth habit with upright stems that may become somewhat sprawling as the plant matures.

Best Growing Zones: Mexican Bush Sage is native to Mexico and Central America and is best suited to regions with warm, temperate climates. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, where winters are mild and frosts are rare. Mexican Bush Sage prefers full sun exposure, although it can tolerate partial shade in hotter climates. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods.

Soil and Sun Requirements: Mexican Bush Sage prefers well-drained soil with good fertility and adequate moisture retention. It thrives in full sun exposure, which is essential for promoting vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Adequate sunlight also helps enhance the intensity of the flower color and promote compact growth. Mexican Bush Sage is relatively adaptable to a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils, as long as they are well-drained.

Maintenance: Mexican Bush Sage is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care to thrive. It is relatively pest and disease resistant and does not usually require chemical pesticides or fungicides. Prune Mexican Bush Sage plants as needed to remove dead or faded blooms and to maintain the desired shape and size. In colder climates, Mexican Bush Sage may benefit from mulching around the base of the plant to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.