prairie wildflower
Texas Sage
Salvia texana
Also known as Blue Sage
Native to New Mexico and Texas
Widely distributed in well-drained limestone soils and on hills from north-central Texas (Denton County) south to northern Mexico and west to southeastern New Mexico
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
- Height up to 18 in to 46 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun to part shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 18 in, it suits meadows and sunny borders. It shrugs off drought once established.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees California Digger Bee also Centris atripes, Sonoran Bumble Bee
- Butterflies Fiery Skipper also Abaeis nicippe
- Moths Salt Marsh Moth
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Fiery skippernectar
- Sleepy orangenectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- New Mexico and TexasUnited States (2): NM, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Widely distributed in well-drained limestone soils and on hills from north-central Texas (Denton County) south to northern Mexico and west to southeastern New MexicoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Found in limestone soils of consistencies ranging from sandy to clay and rocky calicheThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Drought tolerance
- HighRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 18 in (to 46 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Blue, Purple, VioletThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- NutletsThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.