Mexican bush sage is a subshrub or herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to Mexico and Central America. It is only hardy from the lower Piedmont to the coastal plain, and extreme winters may kill it. The specific epithet leucantha comes from Latin and means ‘white-flowered.’ This sage prefers rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil but will grow in clays or sands. Once established, it will tolerate some drought. It does best in full sun but tolerates afternoon shade in regions with high summer heat. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Propagate by division, seeds or stem cuttings. This plant is resistant to deer and rabbits. The flower stalks bear persistent flower bases or calyces that are velvety and purplish with short-lived, white corollas that do not appear until late summer. The showy, bicolor flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Use Mexican bush sage as a border or mass planting in butterfly, cottage, or pollinator gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Whitefly, aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites are insect problems. Rust, powdery mildew, stem rot, and fungal leaf spot are disease problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Salvia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.