Salvia x jamensis 'Hot Lips'

Frequently asked questions

How do I prune Salvia 'Hot Lips'?

Prune Salvia 'Hot Lips' from late-winter to early spring, ideally before new growth emerges. Remove any dead or damaged stems at their base, taking care to make clean cuts just above a bud or leaf node.

Prune back the outer stems by about one-third of their length to encourage branching and denser growth. This will keep your 'Hot Lips' salvia bushy and compact. 

Deadhead spent blooms throughout the growing season to encourage more flowers to form.

How do I divide Salvia 'Hot Lips'?

'Hot Lips' salvia can be divided but you will have more success from taking cuttings. Take semi-ripe cuttings from non-flowering stems in late summer, trimming them to 8cm, just below a leaf. Remove the lower leaves and dip each cutting in rooting hormone powder, and then push into gritty compost. Water and place in a propagator with a lid, keeping the cuttings at room temperature. Pot them individually after the cuttings have shown signs of growth and keep them under cover for winter, then plant out into their final growing positions from mid-spring.

How do I move Salvia 'Hot Lips'?

'Hot Lips' salvia are best moved when young, as older, woodier plants might struggle to thrive after being moved. If you do need to move your 'Hot Lips' salvia, water it thoroughly the day before and dig the new planting hole in advance. Then simply dig it up, taking care to damage as few roots as possible, and replant into the new hole immediately, watering thoroughly. Continue to water regularly for a week or so until the plant reestablishes.

For large, woody salvias, it's best to take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and plant them out as new plants the following spring.

Why have the flowers on my Salvia 'Hot Lips' turned white?

Salvia 'Hot Lips' typically has red and white flowers but, as day length decreases from late summer, the blooms are more likely to be all-white. What's more, extremely hot weather may trigger the plant to prduce all-red or all-white flowers. This is perfectly normal and the flowers should emerge the following spring with the original red-and-white colouration.