Pineapple Sage
- botanical name: Salvia elegans ‘Pineapple’
- annual
- height 36″
- spacing 24″ apart
- full sun tolerant
- dry-average soil
- flower color red flowers
- uses in garden: drought tolerant, fragrant
- use in desserts, fruit salad, herbal teas, potpourri
- attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
- deer resistant
*Please note: We accept plant orders at any time of the year and if you prefer to place an order outside our regular shipping months of April-May, ordering is still easy. “Why we only ship in April and May”
Due to the nature of shipping live plants, when you place an order, we will simply hold your order and ship it at the proper time for your zone, when weather permits in April 2013. Seed packets are shipped year round through USPS.
For more information see our “Ordering and Shipping Policy.”
Pineapple Sage is one of the most delightful herbs, true to its name and has striking, sweetly flavored red flowers that hummingbirds love.
Those who know Sage as a spice used in stuffing will be shocked at the scent and flavor of this sweet herb. Pineapple Sage’s appearance is drastically different: it has pretty, bright red flowers and smooth light green leaves instead of the drab blooms and thick, textured foliage of Common Sage. Its value is threefold because not only is it ornamental, but it smells heavenly and tastes delicious. Rubbing the leaves releases the fruity odor. Boiled, they make a great tea which is well complemented by a little honey. Find great Sage recipes here! You can eat part of the flower like honeysuckle, and it is very sweet. If you are helping your child start their own garden or work in your garden, include this plant, because children love sensory experience and pineapple sage is also easy to grow.
All of the Sage varieties like well-drained soil, are drought tolerant, and a great choice for mixed pots. Unlike the other Sages, Pineapple Sage is an annual. Use a light compost mulch to encourage growth.
Which Sage variety is right for you? View a summary of all the varieties together.
Sowing Instructions:
Sage seed stores poorly. Before planting a large amount you should test for good germination rates. Sow seed directly into fine garden soil or start indoors early, then transplant in spring when all danger of frost has passed. Spread seed on warm soil and cover with 1/8-1/4 inch fine soil. Seeds will germinate in 7-21 days. Once plants are three inches tall, thin and space plants 12 inches apart.
Preferred method: propagate from soft-wood cuttings or by root division. If you do divide, use the outer, newer growth for replanting.
To harvest: fresh is always best. Leaves should be stripped before the sage plant flowers. If you pinch the flowers off during the growing season, you will be able to harvest more leaves. To store, chop the leaves finely and add a little water, freezing the mixture in ice cube trays. Or mix the finely chopped leaves into softened butter for a delicious spread for bread.
You can also dry the stems by gathering them in bunches, hanging them on drying racks out of direct sunlight. Once completely dry, strip leaves from stems and store in airtight containers. Dried sage has a stronger flavor, but a different taste, than the fresh
