Salvia 'Indigo Spires' is a hybrid cross between S. longispicata and S. farinacea. It was a chance discovery at Huntington Botanical Gardens, found growing near the two presumed parents, S. longispicata and S. farinacea. Introduced into horticulture in 1979, and has become a very popular bedding plant.
The spike-like inflorescences reach , blooming from early summer to frost, with small () rich violet flowers that are very tightly packed in whorls. The calyx is purple, staying long after the flower falls off.