Educational Story
The very showy Scarlet Calamint, Calamintha coccinea, is a small woody perennial that produces brilliant red, tubular flowers, and is pollinated by, and provides an important food source to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It grows in full sun and very well drained, sandy soils such as sandhill, coastal dunes, and scrub habitats. It is also commonly called Red Basil, and is in the Mint Family (Lamiaceae). Some other plants in this family include wild rosemary, lupines, and bee balm. A must have for any Florida garden.
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Gardening Facts
| Scientific Name: | Scarlet calamint |
| Common Name: | Scarlet Calamint, Scarlet Wild Basil, Red Savory, Red Basil |
| Description of facts and concepts: | Member of the mint family, leaves have a spicy scent which tends to keep animals away. Thrives on the coast in dry sands |
| Seed or division information: | Seeds or cuttings, soil must be right; can be hard to grow |
| Date of flower’s bloom (Month and week): | All year |
| Ecoregion: | Dry, sandy soils |
| Color of Flower: | Red/orange |
| Height: | Up to 3 feet |
| Spread: | 2 feet and higher |
| Family: | Lamiaceae (mint) |
| Soil Type: Base to Acidic | Acidic (pH<6.8) |
| Soil: Dry to Wet | Sandy soils/ Dry |
| Light: Sun to Shade | Sun, part shade |
| Zone | 8A-9B |