Manor Farm
Fringford
Bicester
Oxfordshire OX27 8DP
Pineapple sage is a tender, bushy sub-shrub which will grow up to 1m high in a season.
The long green leaves have the strong scent and flavour of pineapple and in autumn/winter it produces long
spikes of bright red blooms each up to 3cm long.
It is a native of Mexico and a short day plant, which means it will not bloom until later in the
year. This makes it ideal as a container or large houseplant, spending the summer outside with its
fragrant foliage and then transferring to the house in autumn so that you can appreciate the
flowers.
Pineapple sage prefers a sunny spot with well drained but moist compost, and added plant fertiliser
to support its rapid growth. Plant outside when the danger of frost has passed and for the best
display bring the container into a frost free place before the first cold weather in your locality.
The pineapple scent and flavour of this herb is useful in all sorts of cooking, baking and drinks.
The bright red flowers are also edible and have a tangy taste of citrus with mint.
Pineapple sage is extensively used in the traditional medicine of its home country, Mexico, where it is used for treating anxiety and to lower blood pressure.