Salvia chienii is a perennial plant that is native to Anhui and Jiangxi provinces in China, growing on hillsides and streamsides at around 700 m (2,300 ft) elevation. S. chienii grows on erect stems to 20 to 45 cm (7.9 to 17.7 in) tall, with simple and compound leaves. Inflorescences are widely spaced 3-7 flowered verticillasters in terminal or axillary racemes and panicles, with a purple corolla that is 1 to 1.3 cm (0.39 to 0.51 in).