Salvia apiana: White Sage, Sacred Ceremonial Plant

Salvia apiana, known as White Sage, Bee Sage, or Sacred White Sage, is a shrubby perennial native to the coastal sage scrub of Southern California and Baja California. It has stunning, woolly, silver-white leaves and produces white to pale lavender flowers on tall spikes. It is culturally significant to Native American peoples.

Plant Details

• Family: Lamiaceae
• Genus: Salvia
• Species: apiana
• Synonyms: Audibertia polystachya, Audibertiella polystachya, Ramona polystachya

Grow in full sun with sharp drainage and minimal water. 'White Sage' is extremely drought-tolerant. It is slow to establish but long-lived. Respect its cultural significance; wild harvesting is discouraged.