The Salvia divinorum Research and Information Center - Shroomery

Salvia divinorum. Cultivation and propagation information.
(This site is created and maintained by Daniel Siebert)
How to propagate and grow Salvia
divinorum
Propagating Salvia divinorum from seed.
Seeds should be stored in a sealed dry container. Their viability can be extended considerably if they are
refrigerated.
The seeds should be planted 2-3 mm (0.08-0.1 inch) deep in a good quality potting mix. So as not to
dislodge the seeds, which are tiny and close to the surface, the soil should either be watered from the
bottom, or watered using a fine mister. The soil surface should be kept moist, but not soggy. If the seeds
are viable, most will germinate in two to four weeks. Salvia divinorum seedlings are rather delicate and
slow-growing at first. They must be nursed along patiently. Eventually as the plants grow larger, they
will become stronger and more resilient.
Since Salvia divinorum is usually propagated from cuttings, most plants in cultivation are genetically
identical clones derived from just a few introductions—primarily the "Wasson/Hoffman" clone. When
you start new plants from seed you are establishing new, genetically unique individuals and thus doing
important work to help expand the genetic diversity of this rare species. Should you obtain plants from
seed, please maintain them very carefully. By propagated and sharing new strains with others, you help
insure their future survival because you are making sure that their continued existence does not depend
on a single individual. Please be careful to label your seed-raised plants so that they do not get confused
with other strains in your collection. Most Salvia divinorum plants are indistinguishable from eachother,
but occasionally a seed-raised plant will be visibly distinctive in some way. If you do obtain an unusual
plant, please contact me at: dsiebert@gte.net
Propagating Salvia divinorum from cuttings.
Salvia divinorum is a relatively easy plant to propagate from cuttings. Small cuttings will usually root
within two or three weeks. Cuttings seem to root best when they are between two and eight inches long.
They should be cut off of the mother plant using sharp, clean shears. The cut should be made just bellow
a node.
To root the cuttings in water: Put each cutting into a glass of water. Each glass should be filled about 4 -5
cm (1 1/2 - 2") deep. It is a good idea to use a separate glass for each cutting so that if one starts to rot it
doesn’t spoil the water and kill the others. Leave the glasses indoors in diffuse light and add a little water
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