White Sage
Salvia apiana
Also listed as Audibertia polystachya, Audibertiella polystachya
Also known as Californian White Sage, Bee Sage, Sacred Sage
Climate Match for your location
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White sage is a fragrant, drought-tolerant evergreen shrub native to the southwestern desert, prized for its silvery-white aromatic foliage and delicate white to pale purple flowers. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires minimal water once established.
Why grow it
White sage offers superior drought tolerance compared to many other culinary or ornamental sage species, making it well-suited to water-limited gardens in arid and semi-arid regions. Its silvery foliage provides visual interest year-round, and it requires little to no supplemental irrigation once established in appropriate conditions. Among native southwestern shrubs, it fills a niche for gardeners seeking both aesthetic appeal and low maintenance in hot, dry climates.
Watch out for
White sage can be slow to establish from seed or transplants and may decline if overwatered or planted in poorly draining soil. In cooler or more humid climates outside its native range, root rot and fungal issues become more likely, particularly during winter. Plants may appear leggy or sparse if grown in partial shade or with excessive fertilizer, which can reduce the density of foliage typical of plants grown in lean, sunny conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern United States (California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah)
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
The species itself is most commonly grown; cultivars are not well-documented in commercial horticulture.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
White sage is a fragrant, drought-tolerant evergreen shrub native to the southwestern desert, prized for its silvery-white aromatic foliage and delicate white to pale purple flowers. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires minimal water once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well White Sage grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
White sage offers superior drought tolerance compared to many other culinary or ornamental sage species, making it well-suited to water-limited gardens in arid and semi-arid regions. Its silvery foliage provides visual interest year-round, and it requires little to no supplemental irrigation once established in appropriate conditions. Among native southwestern shrubs, it fills a niche for gardeners seeking both aesthetic appeal and low maintenance in hot, dry climates.
Watch out for
White sage can be slow to establish from seed or transplants and may decline if overwatered or planted in poorly draining soil. In cooler or more humid climates outside its native range, root rot and fungal issues become more likely, particularly during winter. Plants may appear leggy or sparse if grown in partial shade or with excessive fertilizer, which can reduce the density of foliage typical of plants grown in lean, sunny conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern United States (California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah)
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
The species itself is most commonly grown; cultivars are not well-documented in commercial horticulture.