How To Grow Salvia Divinorum

When it comes to Salvia divinorum, there is nothing more satisfying than growing your own.

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of propagating and growing a salvia cutting, it’s good to know some of the plant’s basic traits. Salvia divinorum is a semi-tropical perennial plant, meaning it will grow year after year, as long as it remains in its optimal growing conditions.

As such, it should not be exposed to temperatures lower than 10°C. The ideal temperature for the plant is between 15–27°C, with a relative humidity of 50% or more.

In the wild, salvia propagates by falling over and spreading its seeds. This means that it is likely to need support as it grows. Moreover, for this reason, growing from cuttings is preferable to seeds.

Propagating Salvia Divinorum From Your Cutting

How To Take Cuttings From Your Own Salvia Plant

1. Ensure you use a clean blade to take the cutting.

2. Cut a stem just below a node; this is where the roots will develop.

3. Ensure the cut remains wet until it is transplanted into soil.

4. As this will be a completely fresh cutting and have no roots, cover the cut, and up to 2cm above the cut, in rooting powder or gel to stimulate root growth. This is done just before putting the cutting in the soil.

Tips for General Plant Maintenance Once Your Salvia Is Established

• Water your salvia plant whenever the soil feels like it is drying out. You'll know your plant needs water when the leaves begin to wilt.

• Keep your salvia plant in a bright, warm location out of direct sunlight.

• Salvia divinorum can grow quite tall (up to 2.5m in ideal conditions). It is possible to trim the tops to force the plant to grow outward. Be careful not to trim too much, though, as this could damage the plant’s development.

• If you are keeping your plant indoors, take it outside on warm, rainy days to allow rainwater to wash through the pot. This will help prevent mineral buildup in the soil that could harm the plant.

• It is a good idea to use shop-bought fertiliser/plant feed every now and again to keep the plant healthy. Just be careful not to overfeed and cause mineral buildup.

• Keep a close eye out for pests such as slugs and aphids, who seem to have a particular attraction to the plant. Considering you plan to use the plant yourself, do not use any harmful toxins to deal with pests; investigate safer alternatives. For example, placing a bowl of beer near your plants is a good preventative measure against slugs, who are attracted by the beer and will subsequently drown.

Final Words on Growing Salvia

Growing your own salvia can be immensely rewarding, increasing the power and satisfaction of a good trip. Even if you don’t smoke it, growing a healthy, happy plant is always a pleasure. With these tips, you should find that growing a flourishing bush of your own seer’s sage is simple and highly enjoyable.

Miguel Antonio Ordoñez

With an AB Mass Media and Communications degree, Miguel Ordoñez is a veteran writer of 13 years and counting and has been covering cannabis-related content since 2017. Continuous, meticulous research along with personal experience has helped him build a deep well of knowledge on the subject.

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