Big red sage
Salvia pentstemonoides
Last reviewed: August 2026
Big red sage (Salvia pentstemonoides) is a perennial forb with scarlet red flower spikes blooming May through August, growing in canyon and spring-fed habitats and attracting hummingbirds and bees.
Toxicity unknown
Big red sage (Salvia pentstemonoides) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–36" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
TX
Pollinators
hummingbirds, bees
Before you buy
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An upright, short-lived herbaceous perennial with soft green leaves and spikes of large, vivid red tubular flowers from late spring through summer. Prefers moist, well-drained soil and part shade, and may self-seed to persist in a bed.
Growing Big red sage
Grow Big red sage in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Big red sage is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, mid zone.
- short-lived perennial that may need division or reseeding to persist
Wildlife value
Large red tubular flowers are a strong hummingbird attractant and also draw bees.
Common questions
- When does Big red sage bloom?
- Big red sage typically flowers from May through August, sending up tall spikes of scarlet red blossoms during the warmer months.
- What pollinators does Big red sage attract?
- The tubular red flowers of Big red sage draw hummingbirds along with various bee species, which visit throughout the summer bloom period.
- How much water does Big red sage need?
- Big red sage does best with medium, consistent moisture and struggles if soil is allowed to dry out completely for extended periods.
- What light conditions suit Big red sage?
- This forb grows best with part sun to part shade, often thriving in the dappled light found along canyon walls and stream banks.
- Is Big red sage HOA-friendly?
- Big red sage is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Big red sage? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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