Plant in full sun along the coast but may require some shade in hotter locations in a moderately well drained soil and irrigate occasionally to regularly - this is not what we consider to be a drought tolerant plant. Evergreen in our coastal climate but reliably hardy as a perennial down to USDA zone 8 with foliage emerging in early spring and grown as an annual elsewhere. Prune plants to the ground in late winter and divide clumps every few years for added vigor and to control spread.

Salvia guaranitica is native to southeastern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina and is also commonly called Black & Blue Guarani Sage, Sapphire Sage and Anise-scented Sage or Blue Anise Sage for its only slightly fragrant foliage. The name Salvia comes from the name used by Pliny for a plant in the genus and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of several Sage species. The specific epithet means "of Guara" in reference to this plant coming from Guara, Brazil. We first received this plant from the Huntington Botanical Garden in 1983 and grew it from 1985 until discontinuing production in 2005 when we replaced it with Salvia guaranitica 'Argentina Skies' and later with Salvia guaranitica 'Black & Blue'. 

The information about Salvia guaranitica 'Costa Rica Blue' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.