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Native Plant Society of Texas

Shrubby Blue Sage

Salvia ballotiflora

Other common name(s):

Blue Shrub Sage, Mejorana

Family:

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland
Coastal Sand Plain, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
5
ft.

Spread

3
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Calcareous, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Hummingbirds, Bees

Maintenance

This plant can grow in a variety of well-drained soils. Salvia ballotiflora is heat-loving, low-maintenance, and drought-resistant. Works well as an aromatic, showy accent shrub. Cut it back in late winter to produce a bushier plant in the spring. Can be grown in container gardens. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-July. A branching aromatic shrub with square stems. Small, hairy, oval leaves have serrated margins and are aromatic. Flowers are bluish-purple in elongated clusters. The fruit is a nutlet.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Remove the lower leaves and trim each cutting just below a node. You can either start propagating by placing them in water or by putting them in soil. For propagation in water, just put the cuttings in a vase and add a few inches of water. When rooting cuttings in soil, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, then plant it in moist potting medium. It’s crucial to use a well-draining soil mix. This helps prevent water retention and supports better root growth without the risk of fungal diseases. After three weeks, cuttings should be ready to pot. Pruning shrubby blue sage before propagation encourages healthier new growth. Take cuttings in August or September, from vegetative (non-flowering) branches that are about 3 inches long. 1) https://travaldo.blogspot.com/2021/07/salvia-ballotiflora-shrubby-blue-sage-mejorana-care-and-culture.html 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Salvia_ballotiflora.html
Seed No Treatment Sow the seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost and keep evenly moist. Seedlings will emerge in 15-21 days at 21-24 °C. https://travaldo.blogspot.com/2021/07/salvia-ballotiflora-shrubby-blue-sage-mejorana-care-and-culture.html

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason