Salvia Melissodora Plant

The common name for the Salvia melissodora plant is the grape-scented sage, according to Davesgarden.com. The Salvia melissodora plant has been commonly used in Mexico for medicinal purposes. The grape-scented sage is an evergreen, which means it stays alive throughout winter. Leaves and flowers of the Salvia melissodora plant can be used to make tea, according to Mountainvalleygrowers.com. Softly colored flowers are used to make garnish.

1. Size

   • Salvia melissodora plants grow to heights between 6 and 8 feet, according to Davesgarden.com. Mature Salvia melissodora plants weigh about 1.5 pounds, according to Flowers by the Sea. Leaves are ovate in shape and are 1 to 1.5 inches wide, according to Smgrowers.com.

   Characteristics

   • Salvia melissodora plants have purple flowers, according to Davesgarden.com. These plants can bloom any time from late spring to mid-fall depending on which region they’re found in. When the first frost of the year comes this plant will stop blooming. Warmer regions result in earlier blooms, while colder regions result in later blooms. These plants attract large numbers of butterflies and honeybees. Sometimes, moths and hummingbirds are found eating the honey from this plant, according to Smgrowers.com.

     The scent of these flowers is released when something rubs against the flowers, according to Mountainvalleygrowers.com. This plant has multiple branches, according to Smgrowers.com.

   Habitat

   • Salvia melissodora plants grow best in soils with pH levels between 6.1 and 7.8, according to Davesgarden.com. Salvia melissodora plants can grow in regions with winter temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Smgrowers.com. These plants do best in exposure to full sunlight with quick-draining soil.

   Geography

   • Salvia melissodora plants are native to southern Mexico and grow at elevations between 4,000 and 8,000 feet, according to Smgrowers.com. Saliva melissodora plants are capable of growing in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, according to Annie’s Annuals. The Sierra Madre Occidental region in Mexico has a particularly high concentration of Salvia melissodora plants.

   Considerations

   • Salvia melissodora plants are both drought- and deer-resistant, according to Morningsun Herb Farm. The underside of the leaves are silver, according to Diggingdog.com. The Salvia melissodora plant can bloom from May to October, according to Diggingdog.com. Salvia melissodora plants should be watered daily, according to Smgrowers.com.

   Quick Fact

   • The Salvia melissodora plant got its name from the Greek words meaning fragrant and honeybee, according to Diggingdog.com.