Genus guide
Salvia — 155 species
Part of the Mint & sage family family (Lamiaceae)
Salvia is a vast, sun-loving genus spanning culinary herbs and ornamental bloomers. Common Sage and Rosemary (recently reclassified into Salvia) thrive in full sun with infrequent watering and excellent drainage — Mediterranean conditions suit them best. Ornamental types like Salvia splendens 'Sizzler Burgundy' appreciate more consistent moisture. Toxicity varies across the genus: while culinary sage is generally considered safe for humans, some Salvia species can cause gastrointestinal upset or mild neurological effects in cats and dogs. Check each species with your vet before planting in pet-accessible areas.
All Salvia species we cover
- Andean Silver-Leaf Sage
- Anise-scented Sage
- Annual Clary
- Arp Rosemary
- Autumn Sage
- Baby Sage
- Balkan Sage
- Barbecue Rosemary
- Barrelier's Sage
- Beach Salvia
- Belize Sage
- Berggarten Sage
- Big Red Sage
- Black Sage
- Blanco's Sage
- Blue Anise Sage
- Blue-flowered African Sage
- Bluish Sage
- Bog Sage
- Buchanan's Sage
- Canary Island Sage
- Candelabra Sage
- Canyon Sage
- Caradonna Salvia
- Cardinal Sage
- Cedar Sage
- Chestnut-Flowered Sage
- Chia
- Chia Sage
- Chiapas Sage
- Clary Sage
- Clasping Sage
- Claw Sage
- Cleveland Sage
- Compacta Sage
- Corrugated Sage
- Creeping Sage
- Curved-Flower Sage
- Daghestan Sage
- Dandelion-leaved Sage
- Darcy's Sage
- Downy Sage
- Eared Sage
- Eyelash Sage
- Field Sage
- Flanagan's Sage
- Forsythia Sage
- Foxglove Sage
- Fruit-scented Sage
- Gentian Sage
- Gesneria-flowered Sage
- Golden Sage
- Grape-Scented Sage
- Greek Sage
- Greek Tree Sage
- Grey Sage
- Guatemalan Blue Sage
- Hairy Sage
- Half-Stained Sage
- Heath-leaved Sage
- Heldreich's Sage
- Indian Sage
- Interrupted Sage
- Japanese Sage
- Jupiter's Distaff
- Jurisic's Sage
- Lavender-leaved Sage
- Levant Sage
- Lilac Sage
- Long-flowered Sage
- Long-stamen Sage
- Long-stamened Sage
- Long-styled Sage
- Magnolia-leaved Sage
- Many-spiked Sage
- May Night Salvia
- Meadow Clary
- Mealy-cup Sage
- Mealycup Sage 'Victoria Blue'
- Mediterranean Sage
- Mexican Bush Sage
- Mexican Orange Sage
- Mexican Sage
- Moorcroft's Sage
- Mountain Desert Sage
- Muir's Sage
- Namaqualand Sage
- Narrow-leaved Sage
- Nile Sage
- Nodding Sage
- Opposite-Flowered Sage
- Orange Woolly Sage
- Phlomis-Like Sage
- Pineapple Sage
- Pitcher Sage
- Prairie Azure Sage
- Prostrate Rosemary
- Przewalski's Sage
- Purple Garden Sage
- Purple Sage
- Purple-flowered Sage
- Red-Topped Sage
- Regel's Sage
- Ringed Sage
- Roborowsky's Sage
- Rosemary
- Rosy-Leaf Sage
- Rough Sage
- Round-leaved Sage
- Sage
- Salvia
- Salvia 'Hot Lips'
- Salvia 'May Night'
- Salvia × sylvestris 'Blauhügel'
- Salvia farinacea 'Evolution Violet'
- Salvia farinacea 'Strata'
- Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland'
- Salvia splendens 'Sizzler Burgundy'
- Salvia splendens 'Vista Red'
- Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain'
- Salvia yangii
- San Diego Sage
- Scarlet Sage
- Sesse's Sage
- Shady Sage
- Silver Sage
- Sinaloa Sage
- Spanish Sage
- Steppe Sage
- Straw-red Sage
- Summit Sage
- Tangier Sage
- Texas Sage
- Thistle Sage
- Three-yoked Sage
- Toothed Sage
- Transylvanian Sage
- Tricolor Sage
- Tropical Sage
- Turkestan Clary
- Turkish Pink Sage
- Turkish Red Sage
- Turkish White Sage
- Tuscan Blue Rosemary
- Tuscan Blue Rosemary
- Velvet Sage
- Violet Sage
- Violet-Flowered Sage
- Wagner's Sage
- West Texas Sage
- White Sage
- White-blue Sage
- Woodland Sage
- Xalapa Sage
- Yellow-flowered Sage
Salvia — frequently asked questions
Are Salvia plants toxic to cats and dogs?
Most Salvia are pet-safe. Of the 155 Salvia species we cover, 104 are non-toxic on the ASPCA list and 51 carry a toxic or mildly-toxic rating. Even so, confirm the individual species before trusting it around pets.
How much light do Salvia plants need?
Most Salvia do best in direct sun. If yours stretches toward the window or loses its variegation it wants more light; scorched or bleached leaves mean it is getting too much direct sun.
Are Salvia easy to care for?
Some Salvia suit more experienced growers — several want strong light, sharp drainage or a specific seasonal rhythm. Check the individual species page for the exact regime.
How many Salvia varieties are there?
Growli's care library covers 155 Salvia species and varieties — browse them all above. They share a similar light, water and soil pattern, so once you learn one Salvia, the rest follow closely.
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