Salvia coccinea is grown as a short lived perennial in frost free areas and as an annual in colder areas. Plants will grow to about 80cm tall and up to 1.2m wide. They are a delightful addition to garden borders particularly when planted en masse or with other salvia.
The leaves are mid-green with a scalloped edge, they grow in pairs along the brittle stems and become smaller in size towards the flower head.
The flowers are a classic salvia two lipped shape, most commonly red but also found a whites, various shades of pinks and oranges.
Salvia coccinea is one of the Salvia that will tolerate hot and humid conditions. This makes it a good choice for areas with weather conditions similar to Sydney.