Salvia schlechteri is best grown in open ground in full sun. It requires well-drained, composted soils. This sage will survive with regular watering in summer. No extra feeding is necessary for strong, healthy growth in good soils, although an occasional foliar feed would do no harm and the plants will tolerate and respond well to general fertilizing. The plants can be pruned back, almost to the ground, every year when they go dormant.

Young plants can be planted out at the end of spring. Salvia schlechteri is easily combined with most flowering perennials or shrubs that contrast with its foliage, such as Diascia integerrima, Silene bellidioides and Lasiospermum bipinnatum.

New plants are easy to propagate from seed and cuttings. Sow seeds from late spring to early summer into a general potting soil mix. Seeds germinate quickly and seedlings can be transplanted into well-drained potting soil once the first pair of true leaves appears.

Take semi-hardwood tip cuttings in spring and summer. Cuttings must be without terminal flowering buds. Using a rooting hormone will improve the chance of root development. Place in a rooting medium consisting of 50% fine-milled bark or peat and 50% perlite. Keep cuttings under mist or enclose in plastic bags to retain humidity. Keep warm but out of direct sunlight. Cuttings should root in 3-6 weeks.

The plants do not have any major pests. Mealy bug and aphids do appear from time to time, but are easily managed with suitable control methods.