Salvia orbignaei is an undershrub that is endemic to Bolivia, growing on rocky slopes with other low shrubs at 2400 to 3400 m (7,874 to 11,154.9 ft) elevation. It frequently appears following landslides or road building.

S. orbignaei grows 0.5 to 1 m (1.6 to 3.3 ft) high, with subsessile leaves that are 2 to 9 cm (0.78740157480315 to 3.5 in) by 0.8 to 1.3 cm (0.31496062992126 to 0.511811023622047 in). The inflorescence of lax terminal racemes grows 5 to 20 cm (2 to 7.9 in) long, with mostly 2-4-flowered verticillasters and a pinkish-purple corolla that is 3.5 to 4.5 cm (1.4 to 1.8 in) long.