Lamiaceae
West Indian Sage (Salvia occidentalis)
Salvia occidentalis
It takes sun or light shade and grows with almost no help. It handles dry spells and likes sandy soil, but it copes with heavy clay too. The sticky seed heads cling to clothes, so it can spread around the yard.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is West Indian Sage?
West Indian Sage (Salvia occidentalis) is a easy-care plant from the Lamiaceae family. West Indian sage is a small herb from tropical America, found from Peru through Mexico and the Caribbean to South Florida. It usually shows up on its own along roadsides and in vacant lots, and plenty of people treat it as a weed. The stems sprawl or rise to about 50 cm (20 in), sometimes 1 m. The l...
West Indian Sage grows up to 1.0m, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, West Indian Sage tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, West Indian Sage is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for West Indian Sage?
TLDR: West Indian Sage needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 15-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water West Indian Sage?
Water when the top of the soil is dry. It handles dry spells well, so it rarely needs much.
How Much Light Does West Indian Sage Need?
Give it full sun or light shade.
What Is the Best Soil for West Indian Sage?
Sandy soil that drains well suits it best, but it also grows in heavy clay.
What Pot Should You Use for West Indian Sage?
It isn't a typical pot plant. If you want to keep it, use a pot with a drainage hole and a sandy mix.
What Is West Indian Sage and Where Does It Come From?
West Indian sage is a small herb from tropical America, found from Peru through Mexico and the Caribbean to South Florida. It usually shows up on its own along roadsides and in vacant lots, and plenty of people treat it as a weed. The stems sprawl or rise to about 50 cm (20 in), sometimes 1 m. The leaves are toothed with a strong, unpleasant smell. The flowers are tiny, blue or pinkish white, on short spikes.
How to Propagate West Indian Sage?
From seed
It usually seeds itself. Cut off dry spikes if you don't want it to spread.
- 1 Collect seed from dry flower spikes.
- 2 Scatter on moist soil and cover lightly.
- 3 Keep the soil moist until seedlings appear.
Materials needed:
How Big Does West Indian Sage Grow?
TLDR: West Indian Sage can reach up to 1.0m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
1.0m
Growth rate
Fast
Plant Uses
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Medicinal Uses
- In folk medicine, a leaf tea is reported for stomach pain and dysentery.
- The Guna of Panama and Colombia use the leaves for back pain. None of this is clinically proven, so check with a doctor first.
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect West Indian Sage?
TLDR: West Indian Sage is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease caused by various fungi species including Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Oïdium, and Leveillula. It affects over 10,000 plant species worldwide. The disease thrives in warm, dry climates with high humidity and appears as a distinctive white powdery coating on plant surfaces.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are small, soft-bodied, winged insects closely related to aphids and mealybugs. They are moth-like in appearance, about 1/16 inch long, triangular in shape, and gray-white in color. These sap-sucking pests feed on plant tissue, causing yellowing, stunted growth, and wilting. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth. Whiteflies can transmit serious plant viruses.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Fun Facts
In the Cook Islands it's called 'aunga-kino, which means bad smell, after its leaves.
Its sticky flower cups cling to clothes and bird feathers, which is how the seeds get around.
It was trialled in Java as a cover crop to keep Imperata grass from taking over.
Frequently asked questions
Is West Indian sage a weed?
Can I cook with it like regular sage?
Is it toxic to cats and dogs?
How often should I water it?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
