Salvia chienii is a perennial plant that is native to Anhui and Jiangxi provinces in China, growing on hillsides and streamsides at around 700m (2,300ft) elevation. S. chienii grows on erect stems to 20 to 45cm (7.9 to 17.7in) tall, with simple and compound leaves. Inflorescences are widely spaced 3-7 flowered verticillasters in terminal or axillary racemes and panicles, with a purple corolla that is 1 to 1.3cm (0.39 to 0.51in).