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Plant Profiles / Russian sage
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Russian sage
Salvia yangii (formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia) · Russian sage
An airy perennial with silver stems and a haze of lavender-blue flowers from summer into autumn. Tough, drought tolerant and bee-friendly.
Full sunLight
Weekly in potsWater
Very easyCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun
ShadeFull sun
Full sun.
Water
Weekly in pots
DryWet
Very drought tolerant.
Humidity
Low
LowHigh
Prefers dry air.
Temperature
-30–40°C (-22–104°F)
CoolWarm
Very adaptable.
Growth
Fast, shrubby
SlowFast
Grows 1–1.2 m.
Soil
Free-draining
LeanRich
Poor, sandy soil is fine.
Fertiliser
Rarely
RarelyOften
No feeding needed.
Pet safety
Non-toxic
SafeToxic
Considered non-toxic.
About this plant
Russian sage comes from Central Asia. It loves heat and poor soil, and was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 1995. It's now classified as Salvia.
Best spots
Sunny borders, gravel gardens, balcony pots and coastal plantings.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Salvia yangii (formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia) |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Origin | Central Asia |
| Plant type | Deciduous subshrub |
| Mature size | 1–1.2 m |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Foliage | Aromatic silver-grey leaves |
| Flowers | Lavender-blue spikes |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Cuttings |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering
Cut back
Active growth
FloweringCut backActive growth
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Floppy stems | Too much shade or rich soil. |
| Rot | Wet soil. |
| Woody base | Cut back hard each spring. |
| Few flowers | Too much shade. |
| Spreading | Remove runners. |
Common questions
When do I prune?
Hard in early spring.
Is it drought tolerant?
Very.
Does it attract bees?
Yes.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes, a large one.
