Soft purple blooms. Fuzzy flowers. Hummingbirds that zoom. Meet your new favorite easy plant.

Mexican bush sage is a warm-weather plant with long, fuzzy purple (and white) flowers called Salvia leucantha. It loves sun, blooms from late summer to frost, and brings bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is not the same as cooking sage.

What It Looks Like

This plant grows in a round, bushy shape. Thin stems hold soft, velvety flower spikes that sway like little purple wands. Leaves are narrow and gray-green, so the flowers really pop.

Why Gardeners Love It

• Long bloom time when other plants slow down
• Easy care once it settles in
• Drought smart after the first season
• Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit all day
• Great in the ground or in big pots

Quick Facts

• Type: Flowering shrub in warm places; grown as an annual in cold places
• Size: About 3–4 feet tall and wide when happy
• Sun: Full sun is best
• Soil: Well-drained soil; no soggy spots
• Water: Medium at first, then low once roots grow
• Bloom Time: Late summer to frost
• Edible? No. This is not cooking sage

How to Plant It

• Pick a sunny spot with room to spread
• Mix in compost for airflow and drainage
• Plant a little high so water runs off, not on
• Water well the first week; then let the top inch dry between drinks
• Mulch to keep roots comfy and weeds down

Simple Care Plan

• Water: Deep, not often. Let soil dry a bit
• Food: Light feeding in spring is enough
• Prune: In late winter or early spring, cut old stems low to wake new growth
• Pinch: Pinch soft tips in spring to make it fuller

Cold Weather Tips

Lives year-round in warm areas. In cold areas, grow it in a pot you can move inside before frost, or treat it like a one-season flower and replant next year.

Perfect Plant Partners

• Marigolds, lantana, and black-eyed Susan for sunny color
• Feather grass for a soft, breezy look
• Talavera pots and bright tiles for a fun, Mexican-style patio vibe

Small Space Idea

Make a “purple corner” on a balcony: one big pot of Mexican bush sage, one grass for texture, and one nectar flower for extra pollinators. Instant mini wildlife show.

Common Mistakes

• Too much water: roots don’t like wet feet
• Too much shade: fewer flowers
• Heavy clay with no drainage: mix in compost or plant in raised spots

Pets and People

This plant is grown for looks, not for snacks. Most gardeners do not report it as harmful, but do not eat it. If a pet munches a lot and feels sick, call your vet.

Easy Wins for More Blooms

• Give it sun—six hours or more
• Skip strong fertilizer—too much leaf, fewer flowers
• Trim old flower spikes to keep it blooming

Quick FAQ

Is it the same as cooking sage? No. Cooking sage is a different plant.

Will it come back each year? Yes, in warm places. In cold places, bring it inside or replant next year.

Can I grow it from cuttings? Yes. Soft stem pieces in spring can root with care.

Bottom Line

Want easy, bright, and wildlife-friendly? Mexican bush sage brings late-season color, soft texture, and happy visitors to any sunny spot. Plant it once, smile for months.

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