2 named cultivars

perennialN. America Native

White Sagebrush

The Story

Plant Bio

Artemisia ludoviciana, white sage, is a spreading perennial native across North America, reaching two to three feet. Its value is entirely in the foliage: lance-shaped leaves two to four inches long, coated in fine hairs that make the whole plant a striking silvery-white, and strongly aromatic when brushed or crushed.

It spreads aggressively by underground rhizomes and will colonise a border given the chance, which is why it is best in a meadow, a dry bank or a buried container. The silver is at its most intense in poor dry soil and full sun; in rich damp ground the plant grows greener, laxer and spreads faster.

Uses & Benefits:

Intense silver-white aromatic foliage that sets off hot colours and cools a dry border.

Thrives on poor, dry, eroded ground and tolerates drought, heat and neglect entirely.

Deer and rabbit resistant; provides cover and structure in dry prairie planting.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

27 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in poor, sharply drained soil.
Choose full sun; shade ruins both colour and habit.
Contain the roots or allow room to run.
Water only to establish.
Cut back hard in early summer to keep it dense.
Divide every two or three years to control it.

Pro Tip

Plant it in a bottomless pot sunk into the bed if you want it in a border — the rhizomes travel further and faster than people expect.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in full sun and poor soil ☀️
Contain the roots in a border 🪣
Cut back hard in early summer ✂️
Use it as a silver foil for hot colours 🌿

Don't

Plant it unrestrained among delicate perennials ❌
Feed or water it richly ❌
Plant it in shade ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Silver foliage accent in a dry borderMeadow and prairie plantingErosion control on dry banks

Companion Plants

Butterfly Weed Little Bluestem Purple Coneflower Blue Sage Prairie Dropseed

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

White Sagebrush questions

What zones can White Sagebrush grow in?

White Sagebrush is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is White Sagebrush deer resistant?

Yes — White Sagebrush is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does White Sagebrush bloom?

White Sagebrush typically blooms in summer through mid-fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does White Sagebrush need full sun?

White Sagebrush does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is White Sagebrush drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), White Sagebrush handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.