Perennial•USDA: BIG-•PLANTED: SPRING 2025•
Big Red Sage
Salvia penstemonoides
FAMILY: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)ALSO KNOWN AS:
Penstemon Sage
A vital larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies including Painted Lady, Big Red Sage (Salvia penstemonoides) is a semi-evergreen Texas perennial native across the Edwards Plateau.
During Summer and Fall, the plant produces purple, red blooms.
It plays a key ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including Painted Lady. It provides essential nectar, shelter, or forage for native wildlife, including Butterflies and Hummingbirds.
Best suited to clay, limestone, loam, and well drained, Big Red Sage adapts seamlessly to local soil conditions. It requires minimal supplemental water and tolerates dry spells with ease.

Big Red Sage
Salvia penstemonoides
NATIVE RANGE // EPA & NPSOT
Texas Native Ecoregions5 REGIONS
[ INITIALIZING GEOSPATIAL MAP DATA... ]
Edwards Plateau
SOURCE: US EPA L3/L4 ECOREGIONS • NPSOT VERIFIED30.1727° N, 98.0873° W (DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX)
GROWTH & VISUAL PROFILEPerennial • Herbaceous
↕HEIGHT
3 ft.
↔SPREAD
1 ft.
🌱GROWTH
Moderate
🌿FOLIAGE
Semi Evergreen
BLOOM COLOR
Purple
Red
BLOOM CALENDARSummer, Fall (6 MO)
JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
BOTANICAL ALIASES & ALTERNATE NAMES1 ALIAS
Penstemon Sage
ECOLOGICAL ROLE & WILDLIFE
🦋 CENTRAL TEXAS LARVAL HOST PLANT
Larval food plant for: Painted Lady
ATTRACTS & SUPPORTS
Larval Host: Painted LadyButterfliesHummingbirds
Larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies: Painted Lady. Verified online via Texas Entomology (Mike Quinn). Verified via Texas Entomology (Mike Quinn, texasento.net) and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (wildflower.org).
WATER NEEDMedium (Drought Tolerant)
VL
LOW
MOD
HIGH
SOLAR NEEDPart Shade
SHADE
PART SHADE
PART SUN
FULL SUN
SUBSTRATE & SOILpH: Neutral to Alkaline
ClayLimestoneLoamWell Drained
⚠️ BOTANICAL SAFETY NOTICE
Non-toxic to humans, birds, and domestic animals.
MAINTENANCE & PROPAGATION
Low maintenance once established.