It is heat and drought tolerant. Mealycup sage often remains attractive until mid to late October as a light frost doesn't harm the plant. Though a perennial in southern areas of the United States, mealycup sage is treated as an annual in Iowa. Tricolor' produces leaves of reddish purple, green, white, and pink. It grows 18 to 24 inches tall.
Ornamental sages grow best in well-drained soils in full sun.
Avoid wet, poorly drained soils. The variegated forms are tender perennials. They will not survive the winter outdoors in Iowa. Plants can be overwintered by taking cuttings in the fall before a hard frost. A few cultivars have pink or white flowers.