White Sage
Salvia apiana
Last reviewed: June 2026
White Sage (Salvia apiana) 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
36"–60" H × 36"–60" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Browse plants for this ecoregion
White sage is a striking native shrub with silvery-gray foliage and tall flower stalks that bloom from spring through summer. It forms an attractive mounded shape and gives off a pleasant aromatic scent when brushed against or after rain. Highly drought tolerant once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
White Sage is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation, mid zone, backyard only.
- Can look slightly untidy after flowering
- Silvery foliage may not match traditional landscape aesthetics
- Should be pruned annually to maintain shape
Wildlife value
Valuable plant for multiple pollinators including native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The blooms provide nectar throughout the warm season.
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 White Sage fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.