Big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata
Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Asteraceae family, native to Great Basin and intermountain West (sagebrush steppe). It grows 60 cm–2 m (24 in–6.6 ft) tall and 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Big sagebrush in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Big sagebrush at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–2 m (24 in–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–9 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Great Basin and intermountain West (sagebrush steppe) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Big sagebrush toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves
Aromatic terpenes; bitter and upsetting in quantity.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Big sagebrush
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Big sagebrush in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Denver Botanic Gardens (14 plants)
Questions about Big sagebrush
- How far apart should I plant Big sagebrush?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Big sagebrush need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Big sagebrush need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Big sagebrush?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Big sagebrush flower?
- From about September for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Big sagebrush poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Aromatic terpenes; bitter and upsetting in quantity.
- What grows well with Big sagebrush?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Big sagebrush. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Plants of the national parks (Saguaro, Joshua Tree, Redwood), US National Park Service
Notes and assumptions
- The defining shrub of the cold steppe; silver, three-toothed leaves smell strongly after rain; wind-pollinated in autumn.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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