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Salvia has grown a root out of the bottom of its pot

cathy.robinson65cathy.robinson65 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
I have a lovely, if unruly, salvia hot lips, it flowers constantly but I've only just noticed it has grown a large root out of the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot... It's literally a good centimetre or so thick. Question is, should I just saw through the root, or do you think that will kill my lovely plant? Trouble is the pot is now leaning sideways... Thanks for any suggestions!

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Hello Cathy  :)
    Personally, l would cut the root off. Hot lips is a pretty tough variety. 
    You might want to think about repotting it in the Spring, or maybe planting it out in the garden if you can.
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    Mine has survived life in the ground so far this Winter in Warwickshire, though it's not exactly been a very tough Winter here so far.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Roots escaping from pts indicate the plant needs more root space and compost so  you need to consider re-potting or else root trimming but refreshing the compost and feeding or planting out in the ground.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • cathy.robinson65cathy.robinson65 Posts: 2
    Thanks for all your help, really useful!
  • brianbowellbrianbowell Posts: 1
    Once I planted my Hop Lips in the garden it has gone bonkers. It looks wonderful through the summer but it is looking very woody now and spilling over the path. Can I cut it back and if so when.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    You can cut back as hard as you like, but leave it a while because the resulting soft new growth will be vulnerable if there's another very cold snap. I do mine around mid-April, usually (not hot lips but other similar varieties).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    @brianbowell I agreed that it's good to wait until threat of frost has past as frosts and deep cold stress this south/central American plant. With my Hot Lips, I prune down to near where I see the first green growth on the bush. This gives it a great new spurt of growth in the spring and summer.

    I usually take some of the prunings (without flower buds, maybe a 10cm top shoot) and use them as cuttings for new plants. They usually take in a few weeks.
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