Salvia divinorum is a celebrated plant among its enthusiasts and many are very willing to impart cuttings and seeds to grow. These, of course, could also be bought though Salvia growers are encouraged to share their plants with others who are interested in growing their own. Salvia is a cultivated plant brought by humans from the wild a long time ago.
The natural habitats of Salvia are highlands and ravines and this factor contributes to the guidelines of how to nurture the plants. Salvia is a plant that could be grown either from cutting, or straight from planting its seeds. There are differences between the two.
Growing from Seeds
The production of seeds by Salvia is quite rare. Because the majority of Salvia plants come from cuttings, majority of the plants grown could be considered genetic clones of the Watson and Hoffman Salvia variety. Growing from seeds actually gives you a new genetically-unique individual that, at times, could differ quite significantly in appearance than the usual Salvia plants.
The tiny seeds of the Salvia plant should be planted close to the surface. To avoid the seeds to be washed out, potted plants should be misted or bottom-fed. The soil should always be kept moist but never drenched. Unfortunately, attempting to grow from seeds is very hard and many tries end up in failure. If your seeds prove to be viable, however, they will be undergoing germination around 2 to 4 weeks. The seedlings will be delicate and subject to diligent care but they will grow to be tough in time.
Growing from Cuttings
If growing from seeds is difficult and entails delicate care, growing from cuttings prove to be quite easy according to growers’ experience. It only takes around 2-3 weeks and your cuttings will take root. Ideal cuttings are between 2 and 8 inches and cut just below the node. Roots should be grown by immersing cuttings in glasses of water around one inch deep.
No further care is necessary during this phase other than checking the water level and putting the water glasses in areas of sufficient sunlight. Otherwise, all you have to do is wait for the cuttings to take root and then pot your Salvia plants afterwards.
Care of Salvia Plants
Salvia plants are best grown if they get twelve full hours of sunlight and then twelve of darkness. Ideal temperature range for growing Salvia is between 16-27 degrees Celsius. Always remember that your plants love moisture so mist them frequently and keep the soil sufficiently wet. Keep large pots in handy because you would need to transplant plants as they grow. Salvia stems are brittle and break easily so gather leaves when they become too many.