Wild sage (Salvia taraxacifolia) is a low, herbaceous perennial from the Atlas Mountains of southwest Morocco, grown for its rosettes of grey-green, dandelion-like leaves. It needs sharp drainage and a sunny, dry spot, as it rots in wet or heavy soil.
Family
Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Grows as
Shrub, Perennial
Light
Full sun, Bright indirect
Water
Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry out fully between waterings, and never let it sit wet.
Soil
Very free-draining, gritty or limestone-based mix with added grit or sand.
Temperature
10–30 °C; protect below about 0 °C
How easy
Moderate
Native range
Morocco
Climate
subtropical
About
Salvia taraxacifolia is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. It is referred to by the common name Dandelion leaved sage and is a herbaceous perennial shrub that is endemic to southwest Morocco, growing in the Atlas Mountains at elevations ranging from 2,000 feet (610 m) to 8,000 feet (2,400 m). Very adaptable, it grows on limestone slopes, forest clearings, and rocky riversides. It has no close allies in the genus Salvia. The specific epithet, taraxacifolia, is likely Persian in origin and means 'leaves shaped like a dandelion'.
Salvia taraxacifolia has lyre-shaped grey-green leaves that remain on the plant year round, with leaves growing up to 4 inches (10 cm) long in thick basal rosettes. The underside is covered with hairs, giving it a whitish color. Glands on the hairs give off a pleasant citrus aroma when brushed.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Salvia taraxacifolia by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.