San Luis Purple Sage
Salvia leucophylla
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
No machine-readable author provided. NoahElhardt assumed (based on copyright claims).






Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- Salvia leucophylla
- USDA Symbol:
- SALE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, lavender
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Autographa corusca, Lobed Looper Moth (Megalographa biloba)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Butterflies:Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire; common component of coastal sage scrub fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with light and warmth; no pretreatment typically required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days
Notes: Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Most interbreed and seed may not be what is labelled