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When to Plant Salvia in Georgia

Salvia splendens is a tender perennial from Brazil grown as a warm-season annual throughout the US. Its vivid, upright flower spikes in brilliant red, purple, and coral are irresistible to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. One of the longest-blooming annuals in the landscape — plants bloom from early summer until hard frost with minimal deadheading required.

Georgia spans USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

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Find Your County

Click your county for exact Salvia planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Salvia Planting Calendar for Georgia

Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 21 Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Bloom May 27 May 27 – Sep 30
Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 11 Jan 11 – Jan 25
Transplant Outdoors March 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15
Bloom May 10 May 10 – Sep 27
Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 31 Dec 31 – Jan 14
Transplant Outdoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Bloom April 22 Apr 22 – Sep 23
Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 16 Dec 16 – Dec 30
Transplant Outdoors January 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3
Bloom March 31 Mar 31 – Sep 15

Growing Tips for Georgia

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; seeds need 65-70°F soil and light to germinate (surface-sow, do not cover). Transplant after last frost when soil has warmed. Salvia is frost-sensitive — even a light frost kills plants. Pinch spent spikes to encourage continued bloom. Tolerates heat and humidity well once established. In zones 9b-11b can be grown as a short-lived perennial.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Salvia in Georgia?

Planting dates for Salvia in Georgia depend on your USDA zone. Georgia spans zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Georgia for planting?

Georgia contains USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: June 2026.