Pineapple Sage Plants

Pineapple sage, scientific name Salvia elegans, belongs to the Lamiaceae family of the order Lamiales. It is a herbaceous, semi woody, subshrub, which grows about 1-1.5 meter in height and spreads about 0.5-1 meter in diameter. Pineapple sage is named so, as the foliage exhibits a typical fragrance similar to pineapple. Though pineapple sage is native to the high altitudes of Mexico, it is distributed all over the world.

Pineapple Sage Plants: Description

The stem of pineapple sage plant is square shaped; lateral branches develop in opposite sides of the main stem. The leaves are pale yellowish green, hairy with serrated margins and arranged in opposite phyllotaxy. Pineapple sage blooms in late summer or early autumn based on the variety and growing conditions. The flowers are ruby red and tubular with two characteristic lips. The inflorescence type is terminal spike.

Pineapple Sage Plants: Propagation

Pineapple sage propagation can be done by seeds. Nevertheless, cultivation of pineapple sage rarely produces viable seeds. A more reliable method of pineapple sage propagation is stem cutting obtained during spring season. For preparing stem cuttings, cut the branches of about 4-5 inch in length by using a sharp blade. Remove the matured leaves from the base of the branches, leaving those in the tip portion. Plant these cuttings in pots by using fertile organic soils. As the cuttings develop the root system, they can be transplanted as per your convenience.

Pineapple Sage: In Garden

Pineapple sage is an attractive ornamental plant, usually grown for designing the landscapes. The pineapple-scented leaves attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Considering this, pineapple sage is mostly grown in butterfly gardens. Many hobbyists prefer to grow pineapple sage at the center of flower beds or as a background shrub in gardens. For those with limited land and/or unfavorable soil conditions, pineapple sage can be grown in the pots and containers for placing indoors or outdoors.

Pineapple sage grows best in well-drained soil. The plantation site for pineapple sage should receive optimum sunlight. Pineapple sage is extremely susceptible to drought and cold climates. For better growth of these plants, regular and light watering should be done. As pineapple sage cannot tolerate extreme cold conditions, it is necessary to protect the plants from frost. In cold regions, it is grown as annuals in the pots and containers. The plants are left outdoors during the summer season, while they are maintained in indoors during the cold winter months.

Pineapple Sage: A Multipurpose Herb

Pineapple sage is often considered as a multipurpose herb due to its wide applications. It is used extensively as a culinary herb in flavoring salads, ice creams, puddings, chicken recipes, jellies and sauces. Both the foliage and flowers are extensively used for the preparation of herbal tea and cold summer drinks. For preparing pineapple sage tea, harvest the old leaves and dip in boil water. Cover with lid and allow to stand for about five minutes. Strain the pineapple sage leaves and drink. For an additional flavor, honey and lemon juice can also be added.

Pineapple sage is used for the therapeutic purposes. It has been used in Mexican traditional medicine since a long time. Some of the heath conditions that are known to be treated by using pineapple sage are anxiety, digestion disorders, heartburn and nervous system problems. It is also used as general tonic to improve overall health.