About
Salvia elegans, the pineapple sage, is a tender perennial to 1 m with ovate, softly hairy, aromatic leaves to 7 cm long. Tubular, bright-scarlet-red flowers to 2.5 cm long are arranged in loose whorls on terminal flower spikes. A rewarding and ornamental sage with deliciously pineapple-scented foliage for a sunny, warm border or conservatory.
About the genus
Salvia, the sages, are annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials and shrubs with paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and two-lipped flowers in whorls forming spikes or racemes. An exceptionally diverse and popular genus for sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toMexico, Guatemala
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in well-drained, peat-free potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun; can be moved outdoors during the summer months. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice
PruningCut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate from softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings. Not commonly grown from seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and capsid bug, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots