in its native habitat, "salvia gesneriflora" is reported to grow up to 25 ft high, though in cultivation it only reaches 5–6 ft high and 3–4 ft wide due to pruning from wind breakage and by gardeners. hard annual pruning prevents the plant from breakage. the plant has many woody stems very heavy with foliage that break easily in wind and rain. the heart-shaped leaves are mid-green, very aromatic, and graduated in size.