When to Plant Salvia in Greene County, OH
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.
Greene County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.
At an elevation of 515 feet, Greene County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Salvia during the growing season.
Greene County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Salvia Planting Timeline — Greene County, OH
Salvia Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 19 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 23 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Bloom | July 2 | Jul 2 – Oct 15 |
· 12" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
📅 Days to Maturity
70–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
179 days in Greene County
Growing Tips for Greene County
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 →
Salvia in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Salvia in Greene County, OH?
Greene County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Salvia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Greene County, OH?
Greene County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 19.
Your Greene County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Greene County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.