How to Easily Propagate Pineapple Sage! (Salvia elegans)

Propagating pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) is a straightforward process that can be done through stem cuttings. Here’s how to easily propagate pineapple sage:

Materials You’ll Need:

  • Healthy pineapple sage plant
  • Pruning shears or scissors
  • Small pots or containers
  • Potting mix
  • Rooting hormone (optional)
  • Plastic bags or plastic wrap (optional)

Step-by-Step Propagation:

  1. Select a Healthy Plant:
    • Choose a mature and healthy pineapple sage plant with strong stems and no signs of disease or pests.
  2. Prepare the Cuttings:
    • Using sharp pruning shears or scissors, take stem cuttings that are 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long. Ensure each cutting has at least one set of leaves. Make the cuts just below a leaf node (the point where a leaf connects to the stem).
  3. Remove Lower Leaves:
    • Gently remove the lower leaves from the stem, leaving a clean section of stem with leaves at the top. This prevents excess moisture loss and helps the cutting focus on root development.
  4. Optional Rooting Hormone:
    • While not always necessary, you can dip the cut end of the stem in a rooting hormone powder to promote root development. This step is optional, but it can speed up the process.
  5. Potting Mix:
    • Fill small pots or containers with a well-draining potting mix. Make a hole in the soil using a stick or your finger to insert the cuttings.
  6. Plant the Cuttings:
    • Insert the prepared cuttings into the holes in the potting mix, ensuring the leafless portion is beneath the soil. Gently firm the soil around the cutting.
  7. Water:
    • Water the cuttings thoroughly, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged.
  8. Create a Mini Greenhouse (Optional):
    • To create a more humid environment that encourages rooting, you can cover the pots with plastic bags or plastic wrap. This helps maintain moisture levels around the cuttings.
  9. Provide Indirect Light:
    • Place the pots in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the cuttings.
  10. Maintain Moisture:
    • Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Check the moisture regularly and water as needed.
  11. Root Development:
    • In a few weeks to a couple of months, you should start to see roots forming on the cuttings. You can gently tug on the cutting to feel for resistance, indicating the presence of roots.
  12. Transplant:
    • Once the cuttings have well-developed roots, they are ready to be transplanted into larger pots or directly into your garden.
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Pineapple sage cuttings can be potted up and grown as new plants, ensuring a continuous supply of this delightful herb. Enjoy the aromatic leaves and their culinary and ornamental uses in your garden.

Pineapple sage is a beautiful tender perennial in the garden. It is excellent for attracting pollinators and has edible leaves that have a pineapple fragrance. Pineapple sage can propagate very easily from cuttings. It grows best in zone 8-11 but sometimes will come back in zone 7 – but don’t count on it! To preserve it for next year I decided to take some cuttings. In this video you can see what I did and how they rooted!

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  • How to Easily Propagate Pineapple Sage! (Salvia elegans)

    Meet James Jones, a passionate gardening writer whose words bloom with the wisdom of an experienced horticulturist. With a deep-rooted love for all things green, James has dedicated his life to sharing the art and science of gardening with the world. James's words have found their way into countless publications, and his gardening insights have inspired a new generation of green thumbs. His commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship shines through in every article he crafts.

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