Quick answer: Russian sage is Salvia yangii (until recently called Perovskia atriplicifolia), a tough, drought-tolerant perennial with silvery-grey aromatic foliage and airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers from mid-summer into autumn. It needs full sun and well-drained soil, grows about 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) tall, is hardy in roughly USDA zones 4–9, and is cut back in early spring. Despite the name, it is not from Russia and it is not the sage you cook with.
If you typed "Rissian sage", you are looking for the same plant — Rissian is a very common slip of the keyboard for Russian. This guide covers what the plant is, how to grow it, and what to plant with it. Note that it is an ornamental plant, not a medicinal or culinary herb.
Plant Profile
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Salvia yangii (formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia) |
| Family | Lamiaceae (mint family) |
| Native range | Central and South-West Asia, not Russia |
| Plant type | Woody-based perennial (sub-shrub) |
| Height and spread | About 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) tall; similar spread; compact cultivars smaller |
| Flowers | Small lavender-blue to violet flowers on branching spikes, mid-summer to autumn |
| Foliage | Silvery-grey, finely cut, aromatic when crushed |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-drained, average to poor; tolerates alkaline and dry soils |
| Hardiness | Roughly USDA zones 4–9 |
| Wildlife | Attractive to bees and other pollinators; usually left alone by deer and rabbits |
Why Is It Called Russian Sage?
The plant's old genus name, Perovskia, was coined in the 19th century in honour of Vasily Perovsky (Василий Перовский, va-SEE-liy pe-ROF-skiy), a Russian general and administrator of the Orenburg region, which bordered Central Asia. "Russian" in the common name comes from that connection, and "sage" from the plant's sage-like scent and its membership of the mint family. In 2017 botanists moved Perovskia into the large genus Salvia, so the plant most gardeners grow is now Salvia yangii. You will still see "Perovskia" on many plant labels.
Russian sage was named Perennial Plant of the Year for 1995 by the Perennial Plant Association, which helped make it a garden staple, especially in North America.
Russian Sage vs Culinary Sage
| Russian sage | Culinary (common) sage | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Salvia yangii | Salvia officinalis |
| Grown for | Ornamental flowers and silver foliage | Cooking herb |
| Leaves | Small, finely divided, silvery | Broad, soft, grey-green |
| Flowers | Airy lavender-blue spikes | Purple-blue whorls in early summer |
| Size | Up to about 1.2 m (4 ft) | Usually 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) |
| Use in the kitchen | Not recommended | Yes |
Although the plant has some traditional uses in its native region, we do not recommend eating Russian sage or using it as a herbal remedy. If you want sage for cooking, grow Salvia officinalis. This is general gardening information, not medical advice.
How to Plant Russian Sage
- Pick the sunniest spot you have. Six or more hours of direct sun a day gives upright stems and the best flowers.
- Check the drainage. Russian sage hates sitting in wet soil, especially in winter. Sandy, gravelly or rocky soil is ideal; on heavy clay, plant on a slope or a raised bed, or improve drainage with grit.
- Plant in spring or early autumn, when the soil is workable and not frozen.
- Space plants about 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) apart to allow for their mature spread.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm the soil and water well.
- Skip rich compost and fertiliser. Fertile soil produces soft, floppy growth.
Care: Watering, Feeding and Mulching
- Watering: water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. After that, Russian sage is very drought-tolerant and usually needs watering only in long dry spells.
- Feeding: rarely needed. Too much nitrogen leads to lanky stems.
- Mulch: use gravel or a thin layer of mulch kept away from the crown. Thick, moisture-holding mulch around the base can encourage rot.
- Pests and diseases: few problems. The main risk is root rot in wet, poorly drained soil.
Pruning Russian Sage
Pruning is simple and done once a year:
- Leave the stems standing over winter. The silvery stems look attractive in frost and snow, and they help protect the crown in cold areas.
- Cut back in early spring, as soon as you see new buds or shoots near the base. Cut the old stems to about 15–30 cm (6–12 in) above the ground, just above a set of healthy buds.
- Optional late-spring trim: if your plants tend to flop, you can cut the new growth back by about a third in late spring for a bushier, sturdier plant (flowering may be slightly later).
- Avoid hard pruning in autumn, which can expose the plant to winter damage.
Propagation and Spreading
The easiest way to get more plants is to take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer and root them in gritty compost. Some plants also produce new shoots from underground stems a short distance from the parent, which can be dug up and replanted. Seed-grown plants can be variable. Russian sage can spread in this way and occasionally self-seeds, so remove unwanted shoots if it moves beyond where you want it.
Popular Cultivars
- 'Blue Spire': a classic, upright cultivar with deep blue-violet flowers.
- 'Little Spire': compact, usually well under a metre tall; good for smaller gardens and less prone to flopping.
- 'Denim 'n Lace': compact and sturdy, with blue flowers.
- 'Filigran': very finely cut, lacy foliage and an upright habit.
- 'Longin': narrow and upright, with less-divided leaves.
Heights and habits vary with climate and soil, so check the plant label and local nursery advice.
Companion Plants and Design Ideas
Russian sage's haze of blue and silver works as a soft backdrop and a link between bolder plants. Good companions share its love of sun and sharp drainage:
- Ornamental grasses such as switchgrass (Panicum), little bluestem (Schizachyrium) and feather reed grass (Calamagrostis) for movement
- Coneflowers (Echinacea) and black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) for warm pink and gold contrast
- Sedums (stonecrops, Hylotelephium) for late-season colour and chunky foliage
- Yarrow (Achillea), with flat flower heads that contrast with Russian sage's spires
- Catmint (Nepeta), lavender and agastache for a blue-and-purple, pollinator-friendly scheme
- Shrub roses, where Russian sage can hide bare rose stems
Design tips: plant it in drifts of three or more for impact; use it in gravel gardens, dry borders, along driveways and in coastal or low-water gardens; and pair silver foliage with dark-leaved plants for contrast.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Floppy, sprawling stems | Shade, rich soil, over-watering or fertiliser | Move to full sun, stop feeding, grow a compact cultivar, trim in late spring |
| Few flowers | Not enough sun | Give at least six hours of direct sun |
| Plant dies over winter | Wet soil in winter or pruning too early | Improve drainage; wait until spring to prune |
| Spreading where not wanted | Underground shoots or self-sown seedlings | Dig out unwanted shoots in spring |
| Woody, bare base | No spring pruning | Cut back each spring to encourage fresh growth |
Growing Russian Sage in Containers
Compact cultivars such as 'Little Spire' can be grown in large pots on a sunny patio. Use a container at least 40–45 cm (16–18 in) wide with drainage holes, a gritty, free-draining potting mix, and a heavy pot that will not blow over. Container plants dry out faster than garden plants, so water when the top few centimetres of compost are dry, but never leave the pot standing in water. In cold regions, roots in pots are more exposed to frost than roots in the ground; move the pot against a sheltered wall or wrap it in winter.
Russian Sage Through the Year
| Season | Task |
|---|---|
| Early spring | Cut old stems back to 15–30 cm once new buds appear; plant new specimens |
| Late spring | Optional trim for sturdier plants; take softwood cuttings; remove unwanted suckers |
| Summer | Enjoy the flowers; water only young plants or in long droughts |
| Autumn | Leave stems standing; plant in early autumn in mild areas |
| Winter | Enjoy the silver stems; make sure soil is not waterlogged |
Children and Pets
Russian sage is grown as an ornamental, not a food plant. As with any garden plant, discourage children and pets from chewing it, and contact a vet or doctor if a large amount has been eaten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Russian sage the same as the sage used in cooking?
No. Culinary sage is Salvia officinalis. Russian sage is Salvia yangii, an ornamental perennial grown for its silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers. It is not a substitute for kitchen sage, and we do not recommend eating it or using it as a remedy.
Is Russian sage actually from Russia?
No. It is native to Central and South-West Asia. Its former genus name, Perovskia, honours the 19th-century Russian general and administrator Vasily Perovsky, which is where the "Russian" in the common name comes from.
When should I cut back Russian sage?
In early spring, when new growth starts to appear at the base. Cut the old stems back to roughly 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches). Leaving the stems through winter adds interest and helps protect the crown.
Why is my Russian sage flopping over?
The usual causes are too much shade, soil that is too rich or wet, or too much fertiliser. Grow it in full sun in lean, well-drained soil, and consider a compact cultivar. A light trim in late spring can also give sturdier plants.
Is Russian sage invasive?
It is not generally listed as invasive, but it can spread by underground stems and occasionally self-seed in favourable conditions. Remove unwanted suckers, and check local advice if you live somewhere with native dry grasslands.
Is Russian sage deer resistant?
Yes, it is widely regarded as deer- and rabbit-resistant because of its strongly aromatic foliage, although hungry animals may still nibble almost anything.
What grows well with Russian sage?
Good partners include ornamental grasses, coneflowers (Echinacea), black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), sedums, yarrow, catmint, lavender, agastache and shrub roses, all of which like sun and good drainage.
More from Rissian.com
If you came here via the "Rissian" spelling, you may also be interested in Russian food, Russian tea traditions, Russian wellness traditions, or our explainer on what "Rissian" means.