Photo of Salvia elegans flower by Eric Hunt

Photo by Eric Hunt

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Salvia elegans

Also Known As

  • Salvia rutilans
  • Pineapple Sage

Plant type

perennial, herb

size

  • H: 3'-5'
  • W: 2'-3'

planting zones

  • 9a-10b

More Options

Salvia elegans plant details

Salvia elegans is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial herb with green foliage. In fall and summer red flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Salvia elegans

Plant type: perennial herb
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: red blooms in fall and summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, fragrant foliage, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Salvia elegans

USDA Zones: 9a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Pineapple scented foliage. Red flowers.
Introduced to horticulture around 1870, and prized for its pineapple scent, this herbaceous perennial grows to 4' tall with bright yellow-green leaves that have a downy appearance. Inflorescence to 10" long with widely spaced whorls of scarlet-red flowers over a long period in the fall. Best in full sun or part shade with good drainage and rich soils. Fast growing, plants widen on underground runners. Forms dense colonies at the edge of woodlands in native habitats. Regular water. Hardy to 25F. Mexico and Guatemala.
A rapid growing upright tender perennial herb with a irresistible fragrance of pineapple. Red flowers in summer. Hummingbirds love it. Use in teas, salads, potpourri.
Vibrant red tubular blooms are borne in tall spikes from Winter to Spring. The foliage had a wonderful light pineapple fragrance. A great perennial for Hummingbirds and the Herb garden.
Fuzzy, light green leaves that really do smell like pineapple when crushed. A small, sub-shrub, to 3-5' tall x 2-3' wide, with striking, bright red, tubular flowers on terminal spikes in late summer into autumn. A hummingbird magnate! Best in full to part sun with summer water: goes dormant in a drought. Top hardy in USDA zone 9; said to be root hardy in zone 8. Mulch for extra protection.

Gardening facts about Salvia elegans plant

How to Grow Salvia elegans

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • red
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • bees
    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • fall
  • Foliage Season

    • semi-evergreen
  • Texture

    • fuzzy
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