When to Plant Salvia in Michigan

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.

Michigan spans USDA hardiness zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b (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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Click your county for exact Salvia planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Salvia Planting Calendar for Michigan

▸ Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 25	Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors	May 20	May 20 – Jun 3
Bloom	July 29	Jul 29 – Sep 30

▸ Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 27	Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors	May 8	May 8 – May 22
Bloom	July 17	Jul 17 – Sep 25

▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 21	Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors	May 2	May 2 – May 16
Bloom	July 11	Jul 11 – Oct 3

▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 14	Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors	April 25	Apr 25 – May 9
Bloom	July 4	Jul 4 – Oct 3

▸ Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 6	Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors	April 17	Apr 17 – May 1
Bloom	June 26	Jun 26 – Oct 2

▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 30	Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors	April 3	Apr 3 – Apr 17
Bloom	June 12	Jun 12 – Sep 25

Growing Tips for Michigan

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.

Salvia in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Salvia in Michigan?

Planting dates for Salvia in Michigan depend on your USDA zone. Michigan spans zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Michigan for planting?

Michigan contains USDA hardiness zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b. 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.

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