Purple Sage
Salvia leucophylla
Last reviewed: June 2026
Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla) 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"–48" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Purple sage is a fragrant native shrub with silvery-gray foliage and striking whorls of lavender-purple flowers in spring and early summer. It forms a rounded mound that works well in drought-tolerant landscapes and on slopes for erosion control.
In an HOA neighborhood
Purple Sage is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation, mid zone, backyard only.
- Can appear rangy if not occasionally pruned
- Gray foliage may not match traditional landscape aesthetics
- May look somewhat sparse during summer dormancy
Wildlife value
Host plant for common checkerspots, painted ladies.
Purple sage is highly attractive to native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, serving as an excellent nectar source during its extended bloom period.
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 Purple Sage fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.