With the scarlet flowers and the sweet smell of pineapple, there is a sage that can enrich your garden.
Yes. Pineapple sage is one herb that brings joy to all senses.
Crush the leaves between fingers to release the heavenly fragrance while you are in the garden to refresh yourself.
No wonder that in traditional medicines, it is used to treat anxiety, blood pressure and depression.
Leaves and flowers can be used in fruit and vegetable salads. or in teas and juices.
Dried leaves and flowers can be added to potpourri.
Even though, it is related to sage, it is not substituted for other sages.
The trumpet-shaped tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
As it is a tropical plant from Central America, Salvia elegans is only hardy to zone 8. In those zones, it is a perennial. With hard frost, they die to the ground and come back in spring.
In colder climates, it can be grown outdoors as an annual. With mulch and micro-climates, they might survive through snow, though chances are slim.
Or grow them in containers, so can be brought inside during winter months. Cut it down when bringing inside. With enough sunlight, it will survive through.
Don’t expect it to grow in the winter months.
It can grow more than a meter in size, all sides. So give enough space.
You can prune it as it becomes big and woody.Prune the older branches to get good air flow.
Pinch the tops It will grow new branches by the sides and become a healthy bush.
(Use those tasty young leaves in the salad!)
It can be easily propagated with stems cutting in potting soil. As it is a tropical plant, it prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
It needs regular watering. In pots, it is one of those plants that wilt first, next to lemon verbena.
Growing Pineapple Sage added by George R.C on
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