Black Sage
Salvia mellifera
Last reviewed: June 2026
Black Sage (Salvia mellifera) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org, last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
24"–60" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Black sage is an aromatic native shrub with dark green, wrinkled leaves and whorls of small white to pale lavender flowers on tall stalks. It grows in a rounded form, becoming woodier with age, and offers excellent drought tolerance once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
Black Sage is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: backyard only, mid zone, street edge.
- Can look somewhat rangy or untidy if not occasionally pruned
- May appear dormant/stressed during extreme drought
- Woody structure becomes more visible with age
Wildlife value
Black sage is highly attractive to native bees, honeybees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its nectar is an important food source for pollinators from spring through summer.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Black Sage fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.