Salvia wagneriana is a perennial found in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and the Mexican state of Chiapas, growing at 4000 to 6500 ft (1,219.2 to 1,981.2 m) elevation in warm, moist areas. It is very popular among gardeners near its native habitat, and one of the few native plants taken from the wild by local gardeners. It is described sometimes as a herb and sometimes as a shrub by various botanists.

Salvia wagneriana grows up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide, with yellow-green leaves that sometimes have purple veins. The underside of the leaf has raised veins. The flowers range in color from bright red to rose to pinkish cream, with highly colored bracts and calyces that are different colors than the flower. The showy flowers are 1 to 3 in (2.5 to 7.6 cm) long.