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When to plant Salvia in Flagler County County,

Flagler County County's 316-day season only supports one Salvia planting per year. Sow between January 8 and January 22 for the best chance at full maturity before December 17.

When to Plant Salvia in Flagler County, FL

Flagler County, Florida Zone 9b June

Your June planting checklist for Flagler County, Florida

Here's what deserves your attention in Flagler County, Florida this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost February 5
Avg. first frost December 17
Soil temp (4") 89°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Harvest salvia as they ripen

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: salvia

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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.

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost is December 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 315 days.

At an elevation of 134 feet, Flagler County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99°F, so Salvia may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Salvia will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Salvia root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Flagler County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
315 days
Last Spring Frost February 5
315 growing days
First Fall Frost December 17
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Flagler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Salvia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Nov 27 Transplant: Dec 25 🌸 Bloom: Mar 5 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 11 Transplant: Jan 8 🌸 Bloom: Mar 19 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 3 Transplant: Jan 31 🌸 Bloom: Apr 11 – Oct 10

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Flagler County

How your county's soil matches Salvia's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–5.7) is more acidic than Salvia prefers (5.5–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Flagler County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Salvia will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Salvia.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.6%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Salvia.

How to Plant Salvia

12"
Between Plants
18"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Salvia

5
successive plantings in your 315-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 18 to harvest before frost.

Salvia Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,630 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Salvia

Salvia needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Salvia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Flagler County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Salvia Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Salvia needs ~1,940 GDD — county provides 7,663 GDD Excellent fit

Salvia Planting Timeline — Flagler County, FL

Salvia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 11 Dec 11 – Dec 25
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Bloom March 19 Mar 19 – Sep 17

· 12" apart · Rows 18" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Transplant Outdoors
February
March Bloom
April Bloom
May Bloom
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October
November
December Start Indoors
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

315 days in Flagler County

Growing Tips for Salvia in Flagler County

Direct sow Salvia outdoors after February 05 in Flagler County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Flagler County dries quickly — mulch Salvia with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 99°F in Flagler County, provide afternoon shade for Salvia and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Salvia in Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 5. Plan your Salvia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 5 and first fall frost is December 17.

When should I plant Salvia in Flagler County County, ?

In Flagler County County, , plant Salvia after the last frost (around February 5) and before the first frost (around December 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Flagler County County, for Salvia?

Flagler County County sits in USDA Zone 9b. Salvia grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Salvia grow in Flagler County County's climate?

Yes — Salvia grows well in Flagler County County's temperate climate. Flagler County County averages a 316-day frost-free season, with last frost around February 5 and first frost around December 17.

🌱

Your Flagler County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Flagler County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Flagler County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.