I received a fully established salvia divinorum plant via mail and potted it in a small-medium sized clay container. It's been about a month now and it's not doing so good
The leaves have turned black and shriveled up, and some have even fallen off. I'm not sure what to do, I don't think the soil is too dry, if anything it may be too wet. The temperature should be perfect, the humidity should be perfect, and I do not see any signs of pests. The stem is very healthy on the top and has some new(but slow growing) leaves, I'm afraid they will turn black and die as well. I only gave it a small amount of fertilizer. Should I make a cutting of the top? Is there hope?

Thanks for your answers in advance,

a very concerned salvia grower

Stop giving it fertilizer until it's healthy again. Try not to fuss with it too much, don't overwater. Let those new leaves come in, and if they do turn black, then worry. It's possible your plant just didn't like being shipped. Or was it okay for a while, then suddenly went downhill?

Thank you very much for your suggestions and help. I stopped adding fertilizer and water, and I believe I can see new signs of growth. If this poor sally plant ever recovers, I'll send you pictures.

That salvia needs high humidity is hogwash.

I kept mine alive in my dining room all winter without a humidifier.

The RH inside the house had to be about 35% or lower.

They just went outdoors this week.
This weekend they are starting to acclimate to their usual bedding location.
Next weekend they go from the terra cotta pots into the ground.

These plants are going into their 4th year.

I dig them up and/or root some cuttings late every year.

The first winter I put them in the basement with a grow light and humidity.
The next winter I put them in the basement with a grow light, but no added humidity.
This winter I did not put them in the basement under a grow light, but just kept them in the room with the most sun.
They made it.
Scrawny and flimsy, but healthy enough.
No rot and NO BUGS.
In the basement, bugs were always a problem.

Of course, the first few days outside meant some leaves were lost, mostly to wind since the stalks were flimsy.

So I pruned the stalks back some and new leaves are coming out and branches have started forming.

Another 12-foot bed of salvia soon.

The point is that they don't need a lot of fussing.

Agreed. They do need to be kept up on watering though if the temperature is high. They droop pretty easily.

they do need good light.

Study a general plant care guide from the Master Gardener Program like this one:

http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/index.html

-Matthew

Also check the underside of the leaves, make sure there are no white fly eggs or white flies. These will damage and destroy your plant (they are very persistent) you can wash the leaves if you do have these.

My plant had white fly and I had to repot and was it very delicately and thoroughly, then they came back, I had to do it again. They came back but I was watching for them every day taking care of them any time I noticed even one, removing the eggs with scotch tape works well.

*edit* I am sorry I just realized this is an old post (i'd thought it was an up to date one)