Description

Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) is a perennial herb known for its vibrant red tubular flowers and fragrant foliage that smells like pineapple. It grows as a bushy shrub reaching 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) tall and spreads moderately. The plant thrives in warm climates and is commonly grown for its ornamental value, culinary use, and attractiveness to pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees.

🌞💧 Sun and Water Requirements:
- Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.
- Requires well-drained soil, ideally sandy or loamy.
- Moderate drought tolerance; water regularly but allow soil to dry between watering.

✂️🫘 Methods to Propagate:
- **Seed**: Best started indoors in early spring and transplanted after frost.
- **Cuttings**: Softwood cuttings root easily in water or moist soil.
- **Division**: Can be divided from mature plants to propagate new growth.

🧑‍🌾👩‍🌾 When to Harvest:
- Leaves can be harvested year-round in warm climates.
- Flowers bloom in late summer to fall and can be used fresh or dried.

Purpose

Pineapple Sage serves multiple functions in a permaculture system:

- Edible: Leaves and flowers are used for teas, garnishes, and flavoring dishes.
- Medicinal: Traditionally used for digestion, stress relief, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Pollinator: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its nectar-rich flowers.
- Wildlife Attractor: Provides habitat and food for beneficial insects and birds.
- Mulcher: Produces biomass that can be used as mulch to improve soil health.
- Dynamic Accumulator: Accumulates nutrients and makes them available to surrounding plants.
- Erosion Control: Helps stabilize loose or sloped soils with its root system.
- Border Plant: Makes a great hedge or border due to its height and dense foliage.