Chinese Silver Leaf
Salvia lyrata
Perennial plant featuring square stems, opposite ovate leaves, and dense whorls of purple-blue tubular flowers arranged in terminal spikes.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged soil conditions to prevent root rot.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial forming low rosettes of leaves with upright flowering stems growing up to 1 to 2 feet tall and spreading moderately.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings, and apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged soil conditions to prevent root rot.
Soil
Prefers loose, well-draining sandy or loamy soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial forming low rosettes of leaves with upright flowering stems growing up to 1 to 2 feet tall and spreading moderately.
Bloom season
Blooms from mid-spring to early summer, producing vibrant purple to violet-blue flowers in verticils along the flowering spike.
Propagation
Propagated easily via seeds sown in spring or by stem cuttings and root division during the active growing season.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to powdery mildew and root rot in poorly draining soils. Aphids and spider mites can occasionally affect foliage.
Similar species
Other Salvia species such as Salvia pratensis, which can be distinguished by differences in leaf shape, flower size, and calyx coloration.