Abstract:[Background] Endophytic bacteria form a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with the host plant in the process of long-term co-evolution. The growth environment of plants will affect the species, number, and distribution of endophytic bacteria. Endophytic bacteria have the effects of enhancing plant resistance to diseases and promoting plant growth. Salvia deserta Schangin is a plant with a variety of pharmacological activities. However, there are few studies on the endophytic bacteria of S. deserta Schangin, which have a potential research value. [Objective] To explore the diversity of endophytic bacteria in S. deserta Schangin and explore the endophytic bacterial resources of medicinal plants. [Methods] The culture-dependent method was used to isolate endophytic bacteria of S. deserta Schangin growing in three regions. The diversity of endophytic bacteria was explored by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Some of the isolated strains were characterized in terms of enzyme production, growth-promoting properties, and antifungal effect. [Results] A collection of 386 strains of endophytic bacteria were isolated from S. deserta Schangin, and they were identified as 70 species belonging to 23 genera, 14 families, 6 orders, 4 classes of 3 phyla. The dominant genera were Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Enterobacter. The diversity of endophytic bacteria of S. deserta Schangin in Xinyuan with lower altitude and precipitation was higher than that in Zhaosu and Huocheng. The Actinomycetota strains isolated from S. deserta Schangin samples treated at 80 ℃ for 1 h were more than those from the samples treated at room temperature, and the diversity of S. deserta Schangin at the genus level was significantly improved after the high temperature treatment of the plant samples. A total of 68, 80, 35, 47, and 57 strains were able to solubilize potassium, fix nitrogen, produce siderophores, produce protease, and produce cellulase, respectively. In addition, 48, 20, and 37 strains showed inhibitory effects on Valsa mali, Rhizopus arrhizus, and Fusarium oxysporum, respectively. [Conclusion] S. deserta Schangin harbors rich endophytic bacteria. The abundance of endophytic bacteria is different among hosts in different habitats. Some endophytic bacteria have the potential of promoting plant growth and antifungal effect.