Lyreleaf Sage
Salvia lyrata
Also listed as Cunila lyrata, Horminum lyratum
Also known as Wild Sage, Cancerweed
Climate Match for your location
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Lyreleaf sage is a native wildflower with distinctive lyrate basal leaves and tall spikes of purple-blue flowers in spring. It thrives in dry conditions and is excellent for pollinator gardens and naturalized landscapes.
Why grow it
Lyreleaf sage offers early spring bloom when many native perennials are still dormant, providing reliable nectar and pollen for emerging bees and butterflies. Unlike some sage species that require rich soil, it tolerates lean, well-drained conditions common in difficult sites, making it useful for erosion control or poor soils where other plants struggle. Its basal rosette form and modest height (12-24 inches) allow it to fit into layered plantings without excessive maintenance.
Watch out for
Plants may self-seed readily in favorable conditions, so deadheading after flowering helps control spread if naturalization is not desired. Established plants can be slow to rebound from heavy cutting or grazing, so allow adequate recovery time between harvests if using for herbal purposes.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Lyreleaf sage is a native wildflower with distinctive lyrate basal leaves and tall spikes of purple-blue flowers in spring. It thrives in dry conditions and is excellent for pollinator gardens and naturalized landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Lyreleaf Sage grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Lyreleaf sage offers early spring bloom when many native perennials are still dormant, providing reliable nectar and pollen for emerging bees and butterflies. Unlike some sage species that require rich soil, it tolerates lean, well-drained conditions common in difficult sites, making it useful for erosion control or poor soils where other plants struggle. Its basal rosette form and modest height (12-24 inches) allow it to fit into layered plantings without excessive maintenance.
Watch out for
Plants may self-seed readily in favorable conditions, so deadheading after flowering helps control spread if naturalization is not desired. Established plants can be slow to rebound from heavy cutting or grazing, so allow adequate recovery time between harvests if using for herbal purposes.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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