perennial

Caspian Sage

Salvia abrotanoides

The Story

Plant Bio

Salvia abrotanoides is an upright, woody-based deciduous perennial native to the arid, mineral-rich soils of Central and Southwestern Asia. The aromatic grey-green foliage is deeply dissected to the midrib, creating a fine, feathery texture that persists throughout the growing season.

This species is distinguished from the closely related Russian sage by its highly divided, southernwood-like leaves and more open branching habit. Terminal panicles of small, two-lipped blue-to-violet flowers emerge from densely hairy, whitish calyces from midsummer into fall.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a fine-textured, silvery-grey foliage display and spikes of blue-purple flowers from midsummer through fall.

Highly drought-tolerant once established and naturally resistant to browsing deer and rabbits due to its aromatic foliage.

Attracts hummingbirds, native bees, and other beneficial insect pollinators with its nectar-rich flowers.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

60"

Width

48"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Central and Southwestern Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic to pets

Bloom period

Summer – Fall

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with gritty, sandy, or rocky soil that drains rapidly.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but of equal depth, avoiding the addition of rich organic compost to the backfill.
Position the plant so the crown sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil line to prevent water pooling around the stem base.
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil, then withhold water until the top few inches of soil dry out completely.

Pro Tip

Prune previous year's stems back to active buds in early spring; cutting too deep into old, leafless wood without visible buds prevents regrowth.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune stems back hard to active buds in early spring to encourage vigorous new growth.
Ensure the planting site has sharp drainage to survive wet winter conditions.
Provide full sun exposure to maintain a compact, upright growth habit.

Don't

Do not prune heavily into old, dead, leafless wood that lacks visible green buds.
Do not overwater or plant in heavy clay soils that retain moisture.
Do not apply heavy applications of nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which cause floppy, weak growth.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Gravel gardensRock gardensXeriscapingDry bordersMass plantings

Companion Plants

Achillea millefolium Echinacea purpurea Sedum spectabile Lavandula angustifolia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Caspian Sage questions

What zones can Caspian Sage grow in?

Caspian Sage is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Caspian Sage deer resistant?

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

When does Caspian Sage bloom?

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

Does Caspian Sage need full sun?

Caspian Sage does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Caspian Sage drought tolerant?

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