How to Trasplant Salvia Divinorum

Salvia divinorum features white and violet flowers against green foliage, making it an attractive background for ornamental plants. As a semi-tropical plant, they must be planted in well-draining soil. Poor drainage can result in the salvia contracting a host of fungal diseases such as root rot. Transplanting salvia from one poorly-draining location to a better suited planting area will prevent growing an unhealthy salvia plant.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Compost
• Builders sand
• Sphagnum mos
• Soil pH kit
• Shovel
• Lime
• Sulfur
• Mulch
• Apple cider vinegar
• Fertilizer
• Distilled water

1. Grab a handful of soil from your new designated planting area. Squeeze the dirt. If the soil is malleable in the hand it has adequate drainage. If the soil produces water droplets, it has poor drainage. Amend poorly-draining soil with 4 inches of both compost and builders sand. Soil that is crumbly should be amended with sphagnum moss to increase its water retention.
2. Conduct a soil pH test on the new planting location. Salvia needs to grow in a range between 6.1 to 6.6 in order to absorb the soil’s nutrients. Amend soil that is too acidic (below 6.1) with lime. Alkaline soil or soil that is over 6.6 can be amended with sulfur.
3. Dig a trench around the salvia plant, 4 inches away from the base. Wet the soil if it is compacted. Push a spade 6 inches underneath the plant and lift up to get its root system.
4. Replant your salvia immediately after digging it from its old location to prevent its root system from drying out. Dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the plant’s root ball and at the same depth as it was planted in its former location. Place the plant in the hole and pack soil around its base.
5. Water the plant underneath its the outer edges of its foliage or dripline. Spread 4 inches of mulch around the plant to prevent weeds from impeding on its growth and to lock in moisture.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your soil within the salvia’s preferred pH range by diluting 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar in 1 gallon of water. Water the plant with the mixture once a month.

• Fertilize your salvia plant once a month with a fertilizer with a NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) ratio of 15-30-15.

• Avoid using tap water when watering your salvia plant. Tap water contains sodium that builds up salt in the plant’s soil. Use distilled water.