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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Salvia_lavandulifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. hispanorum. Lag.

Habitats

Edible Uses

The aromatic leaves are used as an adulterant for the common sage[177, 183]. They are used as a substitute for sage in commercial food flavourings[238]. A sage-like tea is made from the dried leaves[238]. The plant is a source of an essential oil that is used commercially to flavour ice cream, sweets, baked goods, chewing gum, soft drinks etc[183, 238].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

The leaves are alterative, antiseptic, astringent, depurative, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge and tonic[238]. They are used internally in the treatment of digestive and respiratory complaints, menstrual problems, infertility, nervous tension and depression[238]. This remedy should not be prescribed to pregnant women[238]. The leaves can be harvested as required and used fresh, or they can be harvested before the flowers open and dried or distilled for their essential oil[238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The essential oil obtained from the leaves is used in perfumery and to perfume soaps and cosmetics[238].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[182, 200]. Soils rich in nitrogen encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering[11]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. It is as hardy as common sage, S. officinalis[182], to which it is closely related[11]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[200]. The leaves have a pungent lavender scent[182]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse[200]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. In areas where the plant is towards the limits of its hardiness, it is best to grow the plants on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Salvia lavandulifolia	Spanish Sage	Shrub	0.3	4-8		LM	N	DM	2	3	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

Vahl.

Botanical References

1150200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Don	Tue May 16 2006

I have heard that Spanish Salvia essential oil has used for treating Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD), and am trying to track down the source of that information. Does anyone have any leads? Thanks, Don email me at dms at efn.org I'm in Eugene, Oregon, US.

Salvia_lavandulifolia - Vahl.