Purple sage is a clumping woody shrub native to coastal California. It has silvery foliage and produces light purple to pink flowers in ball-like clusters in late winter to mid-spring. Purple sage is drought tolerant and grows well in full sun with little water once established. It is often used as a ground cover and provides habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Propagation is through seed in fall or by cuttings.

1. Purple Sage – Salvia leucophylla (SAL-vee-uh lew-KOFF-i-la (or loo-koh-FIL-uh)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Native to: Coastal CA from central CA to Baja and Transverse Ranges; dry open hills and slopes in
chaparral, coastal sage scrub.
Growth characteristics: clumping woody shrub mature height: 3-5 ft. mature width: 2-4 ft.
Rounded woody shrub, erect or prostrate, with silvery foliage (leaves and stems are white-hairy). Leaves
are puckered/pebbly-looking and have small teeth; edges may be rolled.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms late winter to mid-spring (or later, depending on winter rains). Flowers light
purple to pink-purple, in ball-like cluster around flowering stems. Showy.
Uses in the garden: Often grown for it’s silver-white foliage. Excellent as a ground cover (particularly the
cultivars ‘Pt. Sal Spreader’ & ‘Gracias’), for slopes and erosion control. Fine under oaks if gets adequate
light. Excellent habitat plant. Other cultivars include: ‘Pt. Sal’, ‘Amethyst Bluff’, ‘Figuroa’, ‘Pinkie’;
hybrids include: ‘Allen Chickering’, ‘Vicki Romo’, ‘Aromas’, ‘Bee’s Bliss’, ‘Ponzo Blue’, ‘Whirly Blue’,
‘Celestial Blue’.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native groundcovers/shrubs such as Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare
petiolare) and non-native perennial Salvias.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant. Humingbirds, bees, butterflies and other insects love the nectar. Plant
also provides cover and seeds for food for birds and small animals, including lizards.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun
Soil Any, from sand to clay
Water Little to no summer water once established. Very drought tolerant. Leggy with too
much water.
Fertilizer None required
Other
Management: Easy to grow. Cut back yearly after blooming to remove dead branches and control
growth. Leave at least 3 sets of new leaves – do not cut back all the way into old growth.
Propagation: from seed: yes: Fall in pots or garden by cuttings: semi-softwood or layering
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 5, 8-14, 16, 19-21, 26, 57 1/14/15
© Project SOUND

2. Salvia leucophylla
Purple Sage

10. Salvia leucophylla ‘Pt. Sal’ – ‘Garden of Dreams’ native plant garden, CSU Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA)

11. Salvia leucophylla ‘Pt. Sal’ – ‘Garden of Dreams’ native plant garden, CSU Dominguez Hills (Carson, CA)