Salvia Apiana - White Sage (5 Gallon)

About this item

Bring the beauty, fragrance, and natural elegance of California's native landscapes to your garden with California White Sage (Salvia apiana). This aromatic, semi-evergreen shrub forms a beautifully branching bush adorned with slender, velvety, silvery-white leaves and the distinctive, resinous fragrance of sage.

In summer, tall flower stalks rise above the foliage, displaying delicate, pale, two-lipped blossoms that attract native bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators. With its striking silver foliage and excellent drought tolerance, white sage is a wonderful choice for California native gardens, Mediterranean landscapes, and water-wise plantings.

Native to California, this versatile shrub is well suited to sunny slopes, where its spreading root system can help stabilize soil and reduce erosion.

Plant Characteristics

• Botanical Name: Salvia apiana
• Common Names: California White Sage, Bee Sage
• Plant Type: Semi-evergreen perennial shrub
• Native Range: California
• Mature Height: 2–5 feet
• Mature Width: 2–5 feet
• Foliage: Slender, silvery-white leaves with a soft, velvety texture
• Flowers: Pale, two-lipped blossoms on tall flower stalks
• Bloom Season: Summer
• Fragrance: Strong, distinctive, aromatic sage scent
• Wildlife Value: Attracts native bees, hummingbirds, pollinators, and beneficial insects

Growing & Care Guide

Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but can also grow in partial sun or filtered sunlight. Choose a sunny location for the best growth and foliage color.

Soil: Prefers sandy, rocky, or lean soil with excellent drainage. Avoid heavy soils that retain excess moisture.

Water: Requires low supplemental watering once established. Water moderately during establishment, then reduce irrigation as the plant matures. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11

Sunset Climate Zones: 7–9, 11, 13–24

Landscape Uses: Ideal for California native gardens, drought-tolerant landscapes, fragrant gardens, pollinator plantings, and sunny slopes where erosion control is desirable.

A Beautiful California Native

California White Sage offers a unique combination of aromatic foliage, soft silver color, and wildlife-friendly flowers. Its naturally sculptural form and low-water needs make it an excellent addition to gardens designed for beauty, biodiversity, and sustainability.

White sage also holds deep cultural and ceremonial significance for some Indigenous communities. Choosing responsibly nursery-grown plants is a thoughtful way to enjoy this remarkable California native while helping reduce pressure on wild populations.

Add California White Sage to your garden for silvery foliage, captivating fragrance, and a beautiful connection to California's native plant heritage.