This can be very slow to root. You will know when roots develop when there is a spurt of growth of new, light colored foliage. At that time, it is safe to apply plant starter fertilizer.

I generally scrape off the hairs off the part of the stem I want roots to come out of. I always include a node, because if the lead stem dies off, there will be some latent shoots forming from the root system that will replace the dead stem.

I root these under mist and shade. Did take a while to root in sand, then transplanted to my grow area (regular dirt) and they do great. I Make sure there is a node under and a leaf or two above.

Good luck!

This is one of the few Salvias we grow that we root in a sand perlite mix. We use fairly firm wood and watch the moisture very carefully, as too much brings on rotting and too little . . . well, that's easy to see. In a bit more light than most of what we root as well.

And always on heat - 78 to 80 F at the root.

Kermit