Pineapple sage develops aromatic leaves that can be used in creative dishes. The perennial plant can be propagated in various ways. Propagation is successful using cuttings that are cut at different times of the year.
How to propagate pineapple sage?
Pineapple sage can be propagated by fresh cuttings, woody cuttings or seeds. Propagation is successful using cuttings that are cut at different times of the year and form roots in a glass of water before they are planted.
Fresh cuttings
Cut off unwoody shoots that are about eight to ten centimeters long from a well-developed plant. Place the knife below a node and cut the cutting at an angle. In the lower part, remove all leaves and buds. Halve the upper leaves so that the cutting loses less water and can invest its energy in root formation.
Place the cuttings in a glass with tap water and cover it with foil. It takes about two weeks for the first roots to appear. The cutting is left in the glass of water until the roots have grown one to two centimeters long. To speed up root formation, you can add willow water to the glass.
Make willow water:
- Cut finger-thick willow branches into small pieces
- pour lukewarm water over it
- let it steep for 24 hours
Lignified cuttings
Propagation from cuttings works with woody shoots, but requires more patience. The shoots quickly lose their green leaves and turn brown. If you renew the water daily, the woody shoot will develop fine roots at the lower node after a few weeks.
It may be that the plant develops fresh leaves at this point of vegetation. Then cut off the top part that appears wilted. This allows the cutting to concentrate on the further development of the leaves and roots. The young plant is only planted when the new shoot and roots are at least one centimeter long.
Seeds
Propagation via seeds is possible. However, the plant does not develop fruit in Europe because its flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds in its native Mexico. You can buy seeds commercially that are scattered on nutrient-poor growing substrate from February to April. The vessel is placed in a bright and warm place where temperatures do not fall below 20 degrees Celsius. The seeds will germinate after one to two weeks.