While Salvia indica is classified as a herbaceous perennial, in cultivation individual plants often live no longer than two years.

[4] The native habitat of Salvia indica includes rocky limestone slopes between 350 and 5,000 ft (110 and 1,520 m) in elevation, where it flowers in April and May.

[citation needed] The plant has an erect and stately habit, forming a clump of rich grassy-green, ovate leaves with scalloped margins.

Inflorescences are composed of specialized flowering stems growing from the plant's center, some two to four feet high.

Individual flowers are two-lipped, with the one inch upper lip a shiny bright lilac color.