Pineapple sage comes from the Mexican highlands and is cultivated as a culinary herb in Central Europe. But the plant rarely survives the winter outdoors. Frost-free wintering is recommended in order to be able to use the aromatic leaves next year.
How should you overwinter pineapple sage?
In order to overwinter pineapple sage successfully, the plant should be protected from the cold. In the open field, pruning close to the ground and covering with straw, leaves and brushwood is possible. Frost-free wintering indoors at 5-15 degrees Celsius and sufficient irrigation is recommended.
Wintering outdoors
Pineapple sage only survives mild winter months outdoors without damage. Cut the plants back to the ground in autumn. Cover the substrate around the stems tightly with straw, leaves and brushwood. In mid-May you can remove the remains of the material from the ground so that the new growth gets enough light.
Frost-free wintering
A warm winter quarter is better, with temperatures between five and 15 degrees Celsius. Since pineapple sage retains its leaves in winter, care must be taken to ensure adequate watering. Water the plant sparingly to prevent waterlogging from developing. You should also place the bucket in a bright location. In the basement the plant would die due to lack of light. A darker overwintering is possible if you cut the culinary herb back heavily in autumn.
After winter
When the new growing season begins, the optimal time for repotting has come. Choose a slightly larger pot with a volume of ten liters. Gently tap the root ball on a smooth surface to loosen any old substrate residue. Remove dead roots before placing the plant in the fresh pot. If you didn't prune the plant in the fall, you should do so now.
The plant feels at home here:
- warm place
- partially shaded location
- no blazing midday sun
