Botanical Archive No. 001

Pineapple Sage

Salvia elegans

Native to Mexico and Guatemala. Traditionally enjoyed as an herbal tea and valued for its pleasant aroma. The bright red flowers attract hummingbirds and have long been grown in cottages and monastery gardens as an ornamental and culinary herb.

Archive record

Harvest

Harvest leaves before flowering for the strongest fragrance. Morning harvest produces the best quality. Clip no more than one-third of the plant at a time to encourage continued growth.

Grown

Indoors, Interior Alaska

Bloom time

Late summer through autumn, often close to the first frost. Indoors, blooming may depend heivly on seasonal light and shorter autumn days.

Drying notes

Tie small bundles and hang in a warm, dark, dry place with good airflow. Make sure the leaves are fully dried; you'll know when they crumble easily but still have their green color. Do not put them in sunlight, it will dull the fragrance and the herb bundle itself.

Storage

Store in an airtight glass jar away from heat and direct sunlight. Use within one year. Replace when the aroma fades or the color fades.

Recipes

Traditionally was put into herbal remedies for lowering blood pressure, calming properties, and digestive support properties.

Three plants are currently under cultivation. Vigorous growth with soft, fragrant foliage. Leaves release a bright pineapple scent when brushed. Plants have grown rapidly indoors and require regular pruning to prevent crowding.

This is one of my favorite herbs to use. This herb was the very first I started to grow personally, and I have a group of three growing. They stand around 3 feet tall and are very easy to maintain.