Salvia Hot Lips Live Plants | Pack of 2 (TWO) | 5-9" Tall | Bicolor Red & White Sage | Color-Changing Flowers

What You Will Receive: You will receive a Pack of 2 healthy, well-rooted Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ (Salvia microphylla) starter plants, each currently 5-9 inches tall. Shipped bare-root to ensure safe transit, these vigorous starts are ready to establish quickly, often doubling in size and blooming within their first season.

A Color-Changing Magic Trick: Own the most talked-about plant in the neighborhood. ‘Hot Lips’ is famous for its bicolor blooms—white petals with striking red "lips." Uniquely, the colors react to temperature: in cool springs, they may be all white; in hot summers, all red; and in mild weather, they display their signature bicolor pattern. It’s like having three plants in one!

Delightful Blackcurrant Fragrance: Engage your sense of smell as well as sight. Unlike common garden sage, the foliage of ‘Hot Lips’ releases a distinct, sweet scent reminiscent of blackcurrants or mint when brushed against. Plant them near walkways or patios to enjoy this refreshing aroma every time you pass by.

The Ultimate Pollinator Buffet: Bring your garden to life. The tubular shape of the flowers is biologically designed to attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Because it blooms profusely from spring until the first frost, it provides a crucial, long-lasting energy source for local wildlife.

Tough, Deer Resistant & Drought Proof: Stop worrying about thirsty plants and hungry pests. Once established, this Salvia is incredibly drought-tolerant, thriving in heat that wilts other flowers. Best of all, the aromatic oils in the leaves make it unpalatable to deer and rabbits, keeping your garden lush and uneaten.

Care Instructions: Upon arrival, unwrap gently and soak roots in water for 20 minutes. Plant in well-draining soil in a location with Full Sun. Water regularly to establish. In Zones 7-10, it is a hardy shrub; in cooler zones (4-6), it grows rapidly as a spectacular annual container plant.

Safe Arrival Guarantee: We ship using eco-friendly, secure packaging designed to protect the roots and retain moisture. While some minor leaf wilt is normal due to shipping stress, we guarantee your plants arrive with healthy, viable root systems ready to hydrate and grow.

The Plant That Blows Kisses to Your Garden

Inject a dose of whimsy and wonder into your landscape with Salvia ‘Hot Lips’. Discovered near a hacienda in Mexico, this unique variety has taken the gardening world by storm—and for good reason. It isn't just a flower; it's a conversation piece. The blooms feature pure white petals dipped in lipstick-red, creating a cheerful, bicolor display that covers the plant in thousands of "kisses" from spring through late fall.

A Living Thermometer The most fascinating aspect of ‘Hot Lips’ is its interaction with the weather. It reacts to temperature changes!

Cool Spring/Fall: Flowers may appear solid white.

Hot Summer: Flowers may turn solid red.

Mild Weather: The signature red-and-white bicolor returns. This dynamic change ensures your garden never looks exactly the same week to week.

A Sensory Experience ‘Hot Lips’ appeals to more than just the eyes. It is a member of the Salvia microphylla family, known as "Blackcurrant Sage." When you brush against the foliage while watering or weeding, it releases a wonderful, fruity-minty fragrance that naturally freshens the air on your patio.

Indestructible Beauty Designed for the "lazy gardener," this plant thrives on neglect once established. It loves baking sun, tolerates drought, and laughs at humidity. Whether you plant it in a xeriscape rock garden or a large patio pot, it performs reliably without constant fuss.

Ready to Plant We ship established 5-9 inch starter plants to give you a head start. Because this variety grows so fast (reaching up to 30 inches tall and wide), these starters will fill out your space rapidly. Order your 2-pack today and enjoy the garden magic.

Main Color: Bicolor, Red, White
Sun Exposure: Full sun (6+ hours)
Blooming Period: Spring to Fall
Moisture Needs: Little to no watering (Drought tolerant once established)
USDA Hardiness Zone Range: 7-10 (Treat as Annual in Zones 4-6)
Mature Height: 30-36 inches
Ideal Soil Type: Sandy soil, Loam soil, Chalk soil (Must be well-draining)