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Plant Fact Sheet Lamiaceae Salvia apiana, commonly known as White Sage or Sacred Sage, is a California native that is found on the western edges of both the Mojave and the Sonoran Deserts. White sage also extends south into northern Baja, CA and north into the Santa Barbara County. Here in the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas you will typically find White Sage growing on dry rocky slopes at an elevation range of 3218ft to 5643ft. Salvia vaseyi or Wand Sage is often mistaken for White Sage however a trained eye can distinguish the two plants from one another. While the flower clusters of Wand Sage form whorled and somewhat distinct flower clusters around the flower stalk, the flower clusters of White Sage are typically looser and less distinct sometimes forming a paired rather than circular cluster. At The Living Desert, both plants can be found in our Sage Garden and in our Upper Colorado Garden. In order to catch these sages in bloom we suggest you visit the park early to mid April.
Today Salvia apiana is best known for its apparent ability to cleanse a space of any evil spirits that may be present. This power is released from the plant by the burning of the leaves, which are typically bundled into a wand. These smudge wands are quite popular but if you purchase one it is imperative that you ensure that the plant material was collected legally and properly. Many natural stands of the White Sage have been loss due to over-harvesting. Ideally, if you use smudge wands regularly you should grow your own sage from which you can harvest stems and leaves several times a year. Salvia apiana plants are difficult to come by, but are fortunately a stock plant at The Living Desert’s Palo Verde Nursery. Once you purchase the sage, plant it in the ground as soon as possible since these plants have a short container life, typically one year. This sage may be a bit tricky to establish in a low desert garden, but once established it requires minimal maintenance. As a member of the Coastal Sage Scrub community Salvia apiana is adapted to a winter rainfall regimen and dry summers. In order to mimic these conditions White sage should actually be watered less during the summer months, a weekly deep soaking. Planting White Sage in the fall will allow enough time for the plant to establish itself in the garden and tolerate this type of watering. During the winter months White Sage will respond to a good soaking twice a month. It is highly recommended to follow these suggestions because over-watering White Sage in the summer can kill the plant. White Sage can tolerate a full sun location, but in the low desert it would prefer an area that provided shade from the afternoon sun. As a general rule White Sage does not need to be pruned and needs a fast draining soil. |
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White
Sage
The
Cahuilla Indians who referred to White Sage as “qas’ily”
had several uses for this native plant: seeds were ground into a flour
and used for mush; leaves were used in cooking for flavoring; leaves were
also eaten, smoked or used in a sweathouse as a remedy for colds; seeds
were dropped into the eye and permitted to roll around under the eyelids
in order to cleanse the eyes; and leaves were crushed and mixed with water
to create a hair shampoo, dye and straightener. A few uses of “qas’ily”
centered on the Cahuilla women. Women would drink a sage root tea after
child birth to aid in the removal of the afterbirth and to help with internal
healing. In addition leaves of the White Sage were used to stop bad luck,
presumably for the male hunter, if a menstruating woman came into contact
with a male Cahuilla’s hunting gear. 
