How To Grow And Care For Texas Sage

Often referred to as barometer bush, Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) dazzles with a show of bright pink to lavender or white blooms after rainfalls from spring through fall. The silvery leaves of Texas sage offer a visual respite in the height of summer heat. Its gray, green, or silver 1-inch leaves are fuzzy, and provide a delicate backdrop for the vibrant flowers.  

Once established, Texas sage thrives in rocky soil and rough conditions. Drought- and heat-tolerant, this woody, upright shrub typically grows 5-6 ft. tall, 5-6 ft. wide. Here's everything you need to know to grow and care for Texas sage.

Plant Attributes

Texas Sage Care

Texas sage is a woody evergreen shrub. It thrives in full sun and will tolerate partial shade.  Low maintenance, Texas Sage doesn’t mind rocky soil and doesn’t require fertilizing.

Light 

Full sun to partial shade will yield the most blooms.

Soil

Texas sage needs good drainage. It will grow in a variety of rocky or clay soils but doesn’t like wet feet.

Water 

Once established, it doesn’t need supplemental water.

Temperature and Humidity 

Texas sage is both heat and cold tolerant to 10F, It blooms with the onset of rain, increased humidity, and changes in barometric pressure.

Fertilize 

No need to fertilize.

Types of Texas Sage 

• Green Cloud has light green foliage with dark pink to magenta blooms and is a more prolific bloomer than other varieties.
• Silverado has fuchsia blooms on silver foliage and is a slightly denser variety.
• Compact has showy hot pink blooms with silvery leaves and grows only 3 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide, providing more planting placement options in the landscape.  
• Desperado is 5 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide with silvery-green foliage and lavender-pink blooms.
• Lynn’s Legacy has dense green foliage with prolific blooms, typically growing to 5 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide.

Pruning

When not in full sun, Texas sage can get leggy.  Prune in late winter to shape and encourage bushier growth.

Propagating  

Texas sage can be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings or softwood cuttings. 

How to Grow from Seed 

Seeds should be collected before the pod dries and splits open.  Plant in spring after last frost.

Overwintering 

Texas sage is evergreen and does not need overwintering care.

Common Pests and Diseases

Texas sage can suffer from cotton root rot if planted without sufficient drainage or if overwatered.  Planting in a sunny location with well-drained soil will prevent this.

Common Problems 

Planting in too much shade may lead to leggy plants. Regular pruning will keep Texas sage bushy and full.