Pineapple Sage Salvia elegans
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-ah el-eh-GANZ
- Description
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Pineapple sage is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family best grown as an annual in colder regions. It is native to Mexico and Guatemala and grows 3 to 5 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide. The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salveo, which means ‘be well’ and refers to the plant's medicinal properties.
Pineapple sage will grow best in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Although somewhat drought tolerant, leaves will begin to drop with insufficient moisture. Although the plant will die down to the ground with the first frost, it will grow back the next spring in mild climates. It is not recommended to grow pineapple sage from seed unless started indoors and set out as a well developed plant. Stem cutting is another propagation strategy.
Pineapple sage is a hummingbird favorite, blooming in late summer to early fall when food sources may be less abundant.The edible flowers have a sweet, fruity flavor with a hint of mint and spice and smell like pineapple when crushed. They look similar to flowers of Salvia coccinea which are NOT edible. Crush a flower. If the flower smells like sage or grass it is Salvia coccinea, do not eat. If it smells like pineapple, it is Salvia elegans and is edible.
Pineapple sage may be used in borders of pollinator, cottage, herb, and cutting gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Mostly Native Vegetable, Herb and Pollinator Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘Golden Delicious’
- ‘Golden Delicious’
- ‘Golden Delicious’
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘Golden Delicious’
- ‘Golden Delicious’
- ‘Golden Delicious’
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- elegans
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, Guatemala
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds.
- Edibility:
- It is used in teas, potpourri, cream cheese, jams, and jellies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are produced in whorls of 4 blossoms, opening sequentially up the flower spike. Each flower is 1-2 inches long and has a hood-like upper lip and a spreading lower lip.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The opposite, ovate leaves are 2-4 inches long, with serrated edges. Leaf surfaces are covered with short, fine hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- It has an open-branched clump of erect, square stems, Tall stems may break off in windy conditions.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Poor Soil
