Salvia maximowicziana is a perennial plant that is found growing on grasslands, forests, and forest edges in China, at 1,800 to 3,300 m (5,900 to 10,800 ft) elevation. It grows 10 to 90 cm (3.9 to 35.4 in) tall, with circular-cordate to ovate-cordate leaves that are typically 3 to 8 cm (1.2 to 3.1 in) long and 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in) wide. The upper leaf surface is nearly smooth, or lightly covered with hairs, while the underside has glandular hairs on the veins.