Salvia grandifolia is a perennial plant that is native to Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in China, found growing in gorges at 2,000 to 3,000 m (6,600 to 9,800 ft) elevation. S. grandifolia grows on erect stems to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall, with large obovate leaves that are up to 35 cm (14 in) long and 25 cm (9.8 in) wide. Inflorescences are 2-flowered widely spaced verticillasters that form many-branched terminal panicles, with a purple-red corolla that is yellowish at its base, typically about 2.4 cm (0.94 in) long.