It can be aggressive in ideal conditions due to self seeding, but it is native to North America.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil remains moist.

Plant guide

Lyreleaf sage.

Salvia lyrata

Pronounced SAL-vee-uh ly-RAY-tuh

Also known as cancerweed, lyre-leaf sage, lyreleaf sage, wild sage

lyreleaf sage — Photo by nancyellivc (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming native perennial is a great choice for naturalizing in your garden. It features a basal rosette of leaves that often have purple markings. You will love the spikes of tubular flowers that attract pollinators.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to help this plant thrive. Watch for wilting which indicates the plant needs a drink. It is quite adaptable to different soil types as long as it gets enough light.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back spent flower stalks after blooming to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Move to a larger container once the roots fill the current pot.
Soil: Well draining sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -29 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Short lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children, but as with all plants, ingestion should be discouraged.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the foliage.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the spring.
Edibility: While the leaves are sometimes used in traditional medicine, they are not considered a standard culinary herb.

How to identify it

Basal rosette of lyre shaped leaves
Purple tinged foliage
Spikes of pale blue flowers
Square stems typical of mint family

Height: 0.2 to 0.5m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, purple, semi-evergreen
Flowers: blue, violet, white, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Summer

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
AphidsUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the foliage intact through winter to protect the crown. Clean up dead debris in early spring.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided the pot has good drainage and is at least 20 centimeters wide.

Seed Sowing

Collect seeds in late summer.
Sow directly into moist soil in autumn.
Lightly cover with soil.

Plant in groups of three or more to create a more effective groundcover effect.

Grows well with

Columbine · They share similar woodland edge requirements and bloom times.
Green and Gold · This low grower provides a nice textural contrast to the sage.

Similar species

Wood Sage · It is a related species often used in similar garden settings.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern and central United States.
Conservation: This species is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in open woodlands and meadows, often colonizing disturbed sites.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, supports native pollinators
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: groundcover, pollinator garden, woodland edge

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it invasive?: It can be aggressive in ideal conditions due to self seeding, but it is native to North America.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil remains moist.

Where the name comes from

The name lyrata refers to the lyre shaped leaves, while Salvia comes from the Latin salvere, meaning to save or heal.

Good to know

It is commonly called lyre leaf sage due to the shape of its basal leaves.
The flowers are arranged in whorls along the stem.
It readily self seeds in favorable conditions.
It is a tough plant that handles various soil types well.

Keep your lyreleaf sage growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.