Pineapple sage is one of my absolute favorites—it has that incredible fresh, fruity scent that instantly brightens up the garden. While it’s a pretty tough plant overall, I have some bad news: it’s definitely not winter-hardy. But don’t worry! With a little bit of TLC, you can keep this exotic herb thriving for years to come.
How Much Cold Can Pineapple Sage Actually Handle?
If you’ve heard people talking about “hardy sage,” they’re usually referring to common culinary sage, not our pineapple-scented friend. This variety is super sensitive to frost. To make sure your plant survives until next spring, you’ll want to move it into a cozy winter spot well before the first frost hits your area.
Getting Ready for the Big Move
You can grow pineapple sage directly in your garden beds or in containers. If yours is in a pot, you’re in luck—it’s easy to just pick up and move! If it’s planted in the ground, you’ll need to carefully dig it up before the temperatures drop.
You don’t *have* to prune it before moving it indoors, but it’s a great space-saving hack if your winter storage area is a bit cramped. Plus, if you trim it back in the fall, you can dry the leaves for later use or take some cuttings to propagate new plants. Sometimes, those young cuttings actually handle the winter better than the older, “woody” plants!
The Secret to Successful Overwintering
The number one rule for overwintering pineapple sage is keeping it frost-free. It also needs a decent amount of light; if it’s too dark, it’ll start dropping its leaves. A frost-free greenhouse, a garden shed with windows, or an unheated sunroom are all perfect spots. You can skip the fertilizer during the winter months, but don’t forget to keep watering!
The trick is to balance your watering with the environment. If your sage is in a warmer, brighter spot, it’s going to be thirstier. The upside? If you keep it in a bright, warm place, it might keep growing enough for you to harvest fresh leaves all winter long—perfect if you aren’t a fan of the taste of dried pineapple sage.
Quick Summary:
- Not winter-hardy (keep it away from frost!)
- Must be moved to a frost-free location for winter.
- If kept in a warm, bright spot, you can harvest fresh leaves year-round.
Pro Tip: Pineapple sage is a perennial, meaning it can live for years if you protect it from the cold. Overwintering your plant saves you the hassle (and money!) of buying or starting new seeds every single spring.
