Mojave Sage

Salvia pachyphylla

SAL-vee-uh pak-ee-FIL-uh
2 to 3 ft.
2 to 3 ft.

low, very low

blue flowers surrounded by purple bracts

summer to fall

2 to 3 ft.

2 to 3 ft.

No

southwestern United States

sun

USDA zones 5-10

hardy to 6,000 ft.

Mojave sage is a shrubby evergreen perennial plant. It has two notable features. First, it has silvery-green, rounded leaves that are very aromatic. The leaves contrast nicely with green-leaved plants and can be a good backdrop for other xeric plants.

Second, it produces long, narrow blue flowers all summer. The flowers are surrounded by long-lasting purple bracts, which provide bright color until fall. It is native to higher altitude areas of California, Nevada and Arizona.

low, very low

blue flowers surrounded by purple bracts

summer to fall

2 to 3 ft.

2 to 3 ft.

No

southwestern United States

sun

USDA zones 5-10

hardy to 6,000 ft.

We have grown Mojave sage at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden for many years. Its performance is variable. It requires good drainage to grow well, otherwise it will remain very small or die. It has grown better at the Cottonwood Creek Garden than at the Mesa Xeriscape Garden.

When conditions are right, Mojave sage is a beautiful plant that provides a myriad of benefits to the landscape. It is a good choice for sandy or gravelly soils.

Prune regularly to prevent the plant from becoming overly woody.