Usually available: All year

Life cycle: Perennial
Height: 1.8 - 2m
Position: Full sun
Soil preference: Well drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants to all states except TAS & WA

You will receive
- 1 Salvia Tequila Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Salvia gesneriiflora 'Tequila'

Salvia Tequila is an herbaceous perennial with a reputation for growing very large, from 2-4 meters high and wide. The plant has many woody stems and can get very heavy with foliage and flowers when in bloom. The stems are particularly striking in their black colouring, supporting the black calyx and contrasting with the stunning red flowers and deep green leaves. The large heart shaped leaves are very aromatic and have an interesting texture with noticeable veins.

The scarlet red flowers are fuzzy and large at 3-4 cm, growing in tight whorls on spectacular inflorescences. When combined with the stem length they extend 40 cm upwards, leaving black stems visible when the petals fall off. The flowers bloom for several months over the winter and spring periods.

The name Tequila is taken from the Sierra Madre region where the seed was first collected by botanists from the Californian Huntington Botanical Gardens in 1970. They were found in the Volcan de Tequila region in the Mexican Provence of Jaliso at an elevation of 3000 meters. Two distinct varieties were collected: one green calyx variety and the black Tequila variety. Salvia Tequila is also known as the ‘Big Mexican Scarlet Sage’ for obvious reasons. However, the scientific name S. gesneriifolia is taken from the 15th century botanist Conrad Gessner, who named the Gesneria genus of plants, which are similar to this salvia.

It is the most recommended of the large salvias and is definitely not for a small area. The red and black colouring of Salvia Tequila blends well with other garden plants with yellow or orange flowers. With Tequila in the background, purple flowers also look striking against the black bracts. Naturally, it is very popular with birds, bees and butterflies.

Growing Conditions

Salvia Tequila has a reputation of growing up to 50 meters in its native Mexico, in ideal conditions. Luckily in cultivation, where conditions are quite different, this is not likely to occur. Usually gardeners trim the plant to clear up broken branches or to keep it tidy, it usually grows to only 2-4 meters. Due to its height and the heavy burden of foliage and flowers the plant does need wind protection to minimise the number of broken stems. Planting near a fence might help with this and planting the garden bed with stronger supportive plants may also be of assistance. When it rains the plant will tend to become very top heavy and broken branches may result.

It requires full sun, a well drained soil and moderate watering, with care taken not to overwater. It may be propagated by seed or by soft or semi hardwood cuttings. It can be cut back by half in summer if you wish to do so. As with most salvias, Salvia Tequila may be pruned to ground level after blooming is finished. This is when the new nodes appear, in readiness for new spring growth.

The salvia family has over 900 members with an extensive history as culinary, medicinal and ornamental plants. Ornamental salvias have become collectors’ items, as gardeners try to find a place in their garden for each and every one. There are salvias that will suit every type of soil and climate. More information on the Salvia genus and Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) may be found on our Common Sage page.

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.