I have seen multiple posts re: this topic -- but still have a few questions -- any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

1) KEEPING IT IN THE HOUSE: If I bring my potted b&b salvia into the house -- should I leave it in a sunny room? Is it okay for it to be in a heated house all winter? Does it need a special grow light?

2) KEEPING IT IN THE GARAGE/BASEMENT: Does it require a dormancy period -- should I put it in the dark/cold windowless basement - (or unheated garage) and not water it at all?

3) Either way -- does it need to be watered (lightly) throughout the winter?

4) Do I need to cut down the green stems or can I just leave it "as is?"

Thanks in advance!

The plant can be kept in a sunroom or vestibule as long as temps get no lower than 25 degrees for the deepest part of winter. This pretty much applies to an unheated garage or basement as well. It should not be left in a hot (60 degrees or more) area for long. Increasing the warmth is more important when winter breaks into spring.

Look for stolons to poke out, mostly around the rim of the pot. When this happens, it is breaking dormancy and will meed more light, heat, moisture, and some fertilization. This is when grow lights can become useful, if the plant is kept in a dark area.

Another way to winter your plant over is to pack various sizes of plastic bags with leaves, and arrange them around the perimeter of your flower bed to fill in holes, with others filling in holes inside the perimeter, and covering with a tarp. A friend in Red Wing, MN (USDA Zone 5) has wintered over zone 7 salvias this way.