Salvia hylocharis is a perennial plant that is native to Xizang and Yunnan provinces in China, growing on grassy slopes, forest margins, and streamsides at 2,800 to 4,000 m (9,200 to 13,100 ft) elevation. S. hylocharis grows on one or two ascending to erect stems to 45 to 90 cm (18 to 35 in) tall. The leaves are ovate-triangular to ovate-hastate, typically ranging in size from 3 to 8.5 cm (1.2 to 3.3 in) long and approximately 8.5 cm (3.3 in) wide, though they sometimes are larger.