One of its more apt names is barometer bush.
This shrub reacts to increased humidity before and after rainfall by blooming seemingly out of nowhere.
Although it will grow in a shady location, it wont thrive.
Credit:Denny Schrock
Consider the fully grown size of the plant when choosing a site.
Allowing enough space for it to mature into a healthy specimen is vital.
Texas sage resents wet soil.
Credit: Amy Haskell
If your soil holds water and doesnt drain, plant Texas sage in a large planter orwell-draining raised bed.
Dig a hole as deep as the top of the roots and as wide as the pot.
Loosen the surrounding soil, but dont add any compost or fertilizer.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Texas sage grows best without extra fertilizer or nutrients.
Water the new plant and surrounding soil heavily and allow it to rest for two to three days.
Continue until the plant develops new roots and no longer sits loosely in the planting hole.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Texas Sage Care Tips
This easy-to-grow evergreen shrub asks only for full sun andwell-draining dry soil.
It grows well in the American Southwest but struggles in wetter and cooler areas of the United States.
While it can tolerate light shade, plants may become thin and leggy and produce fewer flowers.
An established specimen can easily survive for weeks or months without water.
If you choose to water, allow the soil to dry completely before watering again.
Temperature and Humidity
Texas sage loves extreme heat and low humidity.
It is hardy to 10F, although it may lose some leaves if it becomes that cold.
Any colder, and the plant might die back to the ground and need to regrow from the roots.
Texas sage performs best with low humidity.
High nighttime temperatures combined with constant high humidity can prove fatal.
Fertilizer
It is best to avoid using any fertilizer around this plant.
Texas sage thrives naturally in soil with very low fertility and suffers when too much fertilizer is applied.
Pruning
The best time toprune your shrubsis late winter or early spring.
This alleviates any legginess that occurs naturally over time.
Plucking stimulates growth on the interior of the plant and reduces the shell effect that regularly sheared plants develop.
Potting and Repotting Texas Sage
Small varieties can grow inlarge pots with excellent drainageand enough sunlight.
Ensure the planter has drainage holes and that thepotting soil drains quickly.
As the plant outgrows its container, move it to another container one size larger.
Pests and Problems
This easy-to-grow shrub has few pests and problems.
The number one threat to Texas sage is cotton root rot because of the fungusPhymatotrichopsis omnivorum.
Fungal outbreaks occur in warm, damp soil.
Symptoms of cotton root rot include dead and dying leaves that remain attached to the plant.
Avoid the temptation to water this incredibly drought-tolerant shrub to limit exposure to the fungus.
Powdery mildew occasionally occurs during periods of warm and humid weather.
The best way to avoidpowdery mildewis good airflow and ample sunlight.
Scratch seeds lightly into the soil and water regularly until germination occurs.
Then, reduce watering, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Texas sage can also bepropagated by softwood and semi-hardwood cuttingstaken from the current year’s growth.
Cut 4 to 6 inches from the tip of a stem.
Remove the foliage from the bottom half of thestem cutting.
Water the potting mix lightly and spritz the plants regularly with water.
Dont let the soil dry completely, but avoid keeping it fully saturated.
Cover the pot with clear plastic or spritz the plants several times throughout the day until root growth begins.
Rooting can take a few weeks to several months.
It grows 6-8 feet tall and wide, and the growth is often less dense than other selections.
Silverado
Leucophyllum frutescensSilverado has bright silver foliage and more dense growth than other varieties.
The blooms are violet with red overtones, attracting bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
At maturity, it reaches 4-6 feet tall and wide.
It is a more prolific bloomer than most varieties and is more tolerant of poorly draining soils.
‘Green Cloud’ grows to 6 feet tall and wide.
Their size varies from 1 foot tall and wide to 3 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
Like Texas sage, agaves resent excess moisture.
Set it and forget it.
The large flowers and attractive red fruits provide additional interest throughout the season.
The plant’s size varies widely from 1 to 20 feet tall.
Locate yucca far enough away from Texas sage to allow the flower stalk to shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deer do not typically browse on Texas sage.
However, hungry deer will eat just about anything when their usual food sources are missing.
Texas sage attracts a variety of pollinators, including the Theona Checkerspot butterfly.
These native butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves that serve as a food source for the young caterpillars.
They dont defoliate the plant or cause severe harm.
