Pineapple salvia is a flashy herbaceous plant that ’s a must - have in pollinator gardens and herb bed .
With vibrant colour and an tempting , fruity scent , there is much to love about pineapple sage(Salvia elegans ) . While this works ismainly jazz for its aromatic leaves that smell like pineapple when crushed , both the leaf and flowers are comestible , and they can be used as garnish or brewed into a fresh herbal afternoon tea . Pineapple sage has showy , chartreuse green leaves and bright crimson flower that are highly attractive to butterfly and hummingbirds . Whether you keep an cosmetic , edible , orpollinator garden , save some space in your landscape painting for a pineapple salvia flora or two .
Denny Schrock
Credit:Denny Schrock
Pineapple sage is a warm - weather - love flora that ’s aboriginal to Mexico and Guatemala . While this herbaceous plant grow as a perennial inUSDA Zones 8 - 11 , it can be get as an annual or overwintered indoors in pots in colder area .
Where to Plant Pineapple Sage
ananas salvia can be planted in in - ground gardens or containers , but it postulate stack of bright Lord’s Day to grow decent . Ideally , afull sunshine locationis best for this works , although pineapple plant sage can tolerate some partial afternoon shade , especially in hot clime . While pineapple salvia can grow in a range of grease type , it does n’t do well in soggy gardens , and should only be planted in a well - drain location . Because of its versatility , pineapple sage is anexcellent choice for herb gardens , pollinator garden , and ornamental beds . produce Ananas comosus sage with other herbs or keep it near pollinator - friendly plant life , like coneflower , borage , or calendula . Because pollinators love pineapple sage so much , it ’s also an excellent companion works to grow in vegetable garden to increase pollinator activity and boost crop yields .
How and When to Plant Pineapple Sage
Most often , pineapple sage is grown from nursery starts . Plants grown from greenhouse start should be institute alfresco in springafter the risk of freeze has passed . When you ’re ready to establish the pineapple plant sage in your garden , dig a pickle about as abstruse as your industrial plant ’s pot and two to three times as wide . Locate your plant in the maw at the same deepness it was growing in its glasshouse peck , and then backfill the hole with stain . For even skillful results , amend the soil prior to plant withcompostor aged manure to give the sage plant an extra cost increase . Pineapple sage can be planted on its own or in a group of multiple plant spaced 2–3 feet apart . Pineapple salvia can also be grown in container at least 12–14 inches in diameter , as long as the pots have sight of drainage hollow .
you may also grow pineapple sage transplants from seeds , but the seeds can be hard to come by . If you could get your hands on germ , startle them indoors in seedling traysin early spring and plant out the industrial plant after all risk of rime has passed .
Pineapple Sage Care Tips
Pineapple sage is a late bloomer , but it ’s worth the wait . This works produces striking spray of fundamental flushed flowers in previous summer to fall — just in time to provide pollen andsweet nectar to migrate pollinator . In lovesome climates , pineapple salvia can bloom throughout the winter months , while in cooler areas , it will blossom until a hard frost . If you ’re newfangled to keeping pineapple sage , the simple care tips below will keep your plant in tiptop form !
Light
get pineapple sage in a spot that receives at least 6–8 hr of bright sun daily will help you get lots of heyday . However , ananas sage can also tolerate some light afternoon shade , particularly in the hot weather . Considering that pineapple sage ’s taste and olfactory property are influence by clime and atmospheric condition patterns , it ’s important to provide this plant with the right balance of Dominicus and shadowiness .
Soil and Water
Like most plants , pineapple sage rise best in copious , well - draining soilwithplenty of organic matter . Before planting , you may desire to amend your garden with compost or elderly manure to support the growing of the novel salvia works and help it square up in faster .
While Ananas comosus sage is comparatively drought - tolerant once established , these plants grow best with consistently moist , but not soggy , soil . In dry mood , Ananas comosus salvia leaves can wilt or become crispy , but you’re able to keep this by water the flora on a regular basis with about 1 inch of water per week .
Temperature and Humidity
Pineapple sage mature as a perennial in Zones 8–11 , but the plant will often die back to the land after a hard frost . In these zones , tailor down the pineapple sage andadd a thick bed of mulcharound the plant to shelter it against the worst of the winter weather . While Ananas comosus salvia can handle temperatures as low as 20 ° F , it should be overwintered indoors or kept as an annual in Zone 7 and colder . The plant life grows well in average humidity of 40 - 50 percent .
Fertilizer
If you amend the soil with compost before planting pineapple sage , you often wo n’t need to add up any extra fertilizer to your plant . However , if you desire to improve its outgrowth and blossom evolution , you may feed pineapple sage with a wakeful applications programme of abalanced , organic fertilizerduring the grow time of year , following the instruction on the mathematical product packaging .
Pruning
Pruning pineapple sage is optional , but it does help meliorate the spirit of the plant and encourage it to get new leaves . If you keep pineapple sage as an yearly , merely pinch away some of the new growing tip of the plant , and it will grow back even full . When grown as perennial , Ananas comosus salvia can be pruned gently in late winter to former spring by snipping away any overgrown or damage leg with loppers or pruning hook .
Potting and Repotting Pineapple Sage
Ananas comosus sage is an excellent container industrial plant . select a container12 - 18 inches across-the-board with drainage holes . Fill it with racy , well - drain stain and add pineapple plant salvia transplants . Water it well and identify it in a location that receives full Sunday . It will want to be water more frequently than in - solid ground ananas sage plants . Planting in a container make it easier to move the works indoors or to a sheltered area in Zones 7 or cold-blooded . Repotting wo n’t be necessary when it is grow as an annual in container outdoors . The plants will conk , and the container can be replant the undermentioned spring . In mild climates , where it grow as a perennial , repot it annually in a container 2 - inches wider and sate with fresh pot metier
Harvesting
Both the leave of absence and prime of pineapple sage are comestible and can be harvested as soon as they reach a usable size . After harvesting , pineapple salvia can be infuse into cocktail or teas or used as a garnish or salad topper . Pineapple sage blooms also make fantastic slice flowers , and their bright color is sure to animate any bloom arrangement .
Pests and Problems
Pineapple sage has a rich scent that by nature repels many unwashed pest , including deer . However , while this plant is naturally resistant to many common garden insects , there are a few exception : mealybugs and aphids .
Mealybugsare a variety of ordered series insect that feed on industrial plant sap and can weaken plants over time . When they invade , mealybugs congregate on plant life leaves and stems , and they bet a bit like lilliputian , clean balls of furry cotton . constitutional insecticidal easy lay andneem oilsprays can work on these insects , but do n’t apply these products to plants in flower ; they can harm pollinators .
Like mealybugs , aphidsalso feed on industrial plant sap , but they are a bit well-to-do to treat . While insecticidal grievous bodily harm and neem oil can work on on aphids , often spray aphid with a strong blast from your garden hosiery is just as effective .
Credit: Denny Schrock
How to Propagate Pineapple Sage
Pineapple sage can be propagated via seed orstem cutting , although cuttings are recommend for cultivar .
cut : In fall or spring , take 6 - inch cuttings from fresh shoot with leafage rather than older stems with efflorescence bud . Remove the leaves from the bottom one-half of the cutting . Pineapple sage is comfortable to root in weewee in a glass ride on a gay windowsill or in a potting medium . No rooting hormone is demand . After the plant life roots , hold back until the conditions is tender to move it to the garden . Pineapple sage wo n’t suffer cold weather .
Seeds : After the pineapple sage plant life flowers , await for the seed pod to dry on the works . hack the fore adjudge the flower and seed cod and move it to a paper towel in a cool area to stay drying . Rub the come pod between your digit to unloose the seed . Store the ejaculate in an gasbag in a ironical area until you are quick to jump them indoors in other leap in peat kitty .
Credit:Denny Schrock
Types of Pineapple Sage
thrifty plant life reproduction has develop several unique cultivars of pineapple plant salvia . While there are other mixed bag of pineapple salvia to choose from , some popular option include :
‘Honey Melon’
Salvia elegans‘Honey Melon ’ is a little variety of pineapple plant salvia , but it blooms sooner in the season than many other cultivars . This makes it a great selection for anyone who lives in a cool climate but still require to harvest caboodle of pineapple salvia flowers before frost arrives . It is an excellent option for develop indoors . It maturate 2 foot tall and wide .
‘Tangerine’
Salvia elegans‘Tangerine ’ is another other bloomer … but with a crook . This easygoing - to - grow plant has darker blossom and a tangerine tree - like perfume that ’s truly singular ! It disperse by runner into a slow clump . Cutting back old ontogeny keep this plant in peak for months . It acquire to 18 inches marvellous and 24 inches broad .
‘Golden Delicious’
Salvia elegans‘Golden Delicious ’ is grown in the main for its bright yellowish green - yellow leaves . It is an eye - catching addition to any garden bed or container . This is one pineapple salvia cultivar that benefit from some good afternoon specter ; its spectacular foliage burn easily in full sunlight . It grows 3–4 feet tall and broadcast to 3 feet .
Pineapple Sage Companion Plants
ananas salvia pairs well with other pollinator - favorable plants .
Coneflower
Pollinators know these pretty North American aboriginal perennials , which have seen a resurgence in popularity . There ’s aconeflower for every garden , include bright single flowers and double blossoms and colour from orangish and yellow to red and deep pink . Coneflowers flower from summer to come down , and they shine in a variety of garden preferences .
Borage
froth sky - profane blooms dance atopannual borage . It reliably amount back from seed each class , apace filling in empty space . As it ages , this yearly grow a somewhat loose habit and may profit from game to remain erect in tardy summer .
Calendula
calendula , also called pot marigold , are at plate in a bungalow or herb garden . Plant this slowly - going annual in other spring to savour its flowers , which resemble daisies or chrysanthemum , until the heat of summertime sets in . In region with moderate summer , have a bun in the oven calendula varieties to bloom even more profusely in tumble . Add the comestible blossom to soups and salads as a coloured garnish .
Frequently Asked Questions
While pineapple plant sage may smell like pineapple , it does n’t savour like it . alternatively , pineapple sage has a decided , fruity flavour with hints of mint and spice .
Standardculinary sageis more cold - tolerant than pineapple salvia and has thicker , denser leaves . In contrast , pineapple plant salvia is an alien - sounding plant with vibrant red flowers and a tropical olfactory property and flavor .
