FNPS Plant Database

Salvia coccinea

scarlet sage, tropical sage, blood sage
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
  • Photo by: Marjorie Shropshire, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: NULL
  • Photo by: Eleanor Dietrich, Magnolia Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

scarlet sage, tropical sage, blood sage

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Salvia coccinea

Family:

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2-6 ft tall by .5-2 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

red, pink

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Can bloom at any time of year. Tends to die back in northern areas.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower gardens and meadows.

Considerations:

Readily self-seeds and can be fairly aggressive.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Readily self-seeds, seeds can be easily collected by bagging the flowers once they start to wilt.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

5.5 to 7.5

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Birds

Attracts butterflies, bumblebees, and other pollinators.

Attracts hummingbirds, nut-hatches, and warblers.

Native Habitats:

Disturbed sites, calcareous bluffs, shell mounds.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Reports on edibility of this plant are conflicting...and there is potential to confuse this native with other red-flowered Salvia species. People have reported getting a severe stomach ache from consuming a concentrated extract from the flower. Others have suggested that the leaves can be dried and used instead of the imported sages. Both the leaves and flowers have a slightly sour minty taste and have been used in salads or as garnish. Just remember, what you eat is your own responsibility....

General Comments:

In mild areas, plants sometimes persist through the winter and will bloom again. They need to be cut way back or they will not be attractive.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Tropical Sage, Scarlet Sage, Blood Sage [in] Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Salvcocc ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Hammer, Roger. (2015). Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Huegel, Craig N. (2009-2025). Native Florida Wildflowers (blog). ( http://hawthornhillwildflowers.blogspot.com/ ).


Huegel, Craig N. (2012). Native Wildflowers and Other Ground Covers for Florida Landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Traas, Pamela. (2001). Gardening for Florida's Butterflies. Great Outdoors Publishing Co., St. Petersburg, FL.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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