Pineapple sage

Sun

Full sun; light afternoon shade is helpful in very hot climates.

Water

Water regularly during active growth, allowing the surface soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid both prolonged drought and waterlogged roots.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil that retains some moisture; suitable for most soil pH levels.

Height

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Flowers

Scarlet-red tubular flowers from late summer through autumn, sometimes continuing into winter in frost-free climates; flowering time varies with climate and selection.

Foliage

Soft, bright green, pointed oval leaves with toothed edges and a pineapple scent when rubbed. Evergreen in frost-free conditions, but loses its leaves or dies back in cold weather.

Growth

Fast

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant
• Edible

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.5 ft (0.76 m)

3. After 2 years

   4 ft (1.2 m)

   full size

About 2 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant outdoors after frost danger has passed, in a warm, sheltered position.
• Water deeply during dry spells; check containers frequently in hot weather.
• Apply compost in spring; feed container plants lightly during active growth.
• Mulch the root area to conserve moisture, keeping mulch clear of the stems.
• In colder parts of its range, protect the crown with a loose winter mulch and ensure excellent drainage.
• Where winters are cold, bring a container plant or rooted cuttings into a bright, frost-free place.

Pruning. Pinch young shoots in spring to encourage branching, but avoid repeated trimming later in the growing season because it can delay flowering. Cut frost-damaged or old woody stems back to healthy growth in spring, once hard frosts have passed.

Pick tender leaves and leafy shoot tips once the plant is established and growing strongly; ready leaves are green and smell of pineapple when gently rubbed. Snip just above a pair of leaves, taking no more than a third of the foliage at once, throughout the frost-free growing season. Pick the red flowers when fully open, usually from late summer through autumn, sometimes into winter in frost-free areas.

Early spring

Check overwintered plants for pests and begin watering more as new growth appears.

Spring

Prune damaged stems, add compost and pinch young shoots for a bushier plant.

Late spring

Harden off indoor plants and plant outside after the last frost.

Summer

Water during dry weather and take non-flowering shoot cuttings as backup plants.

Autumn

Leave flowering stems intact for late colour and nectar.

Before the first frost

Move containers under cover in cold climates, or protect the root area where plants remain outdoors.

Winter

Keep sheltered plants frost-free and water sparingly, without allowing the root ball to dry out completely.

• Place beside a path or seating area where you can brush the scented leaves.
• Use behind lower herbs in an edible border, allowing space for its spreading stems.
• Combine with ornamental grasses and autumn-flowering perennials for late-season colour.
• Grow in a large patio container that can be moved under cover for winter.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, Potager (kitchen garden), Sensory garden, Edible landscape, Pollinator garden and Autumn colour.

Plant it with: Dahlias, Mexican bush sage, Purple coneflower, Switchgrass, Basil and French marigolds.

Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds where they occur, especially in North America, and are visited by some bees and butterflies.

• Frost damage: stems and roots can be killed by cold, especially in wet soil; improve drainage and overwinter a backup plant under cover.
• Few or no flowers before frost: short days trigger flowering, so cold climates may have too short a season; choose a warm site and avoid late pinching.
• Whitefly or spider mites under cover: inspect leaf undersides, rinse pests off and use insecticidal soap if needed, following the label.
• Root rot: yellowing and collapse can follow prolonged waterlogging; improve drainage and never leave pots standing in water.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. The leaves and flowers are used as edible herbs; large amounts of any unfamiliar plant material may cause digestive upset.

Where it spreads. Can escape gardens in eastern Australia, including parts of New South Wales and Queensland. Check local weed advice before planting near bushland.

• Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea)

  Usually a smaller, shorter-lived plant with more heart-shaped leaves; its foliage lacks the distinctive pineapple scent.

• Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha)

  Has narrow, grey-green leaves and conspicuously velvety purple flower spikes rather than bright green, pineapple-scented foliage and scarlet flowers.

The common name refers to the pineapple scent of the crushed leaves, while the Latin elegans means elegant.

Propagation. Take softwood or semi-ripe cuttings from non-flowering shoots in spring or summer and root them in a moist, free-draining medium. Seed is also possible, but named selections may not come true.

Accepted botanical name

Salvia elegans

Native range

Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest and Mexico Southwest.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.