Last updated on September 23rd, 2022 at 04:29 pm
In my years as a professional gardener, I’ve had many people ask me about blooming. One plant whose blooming pattern raises several questions amongst the many that I have had experience with is pineapple sage.
You may have planted pineapple sage and aren’t seeing it producing flowers as your neighbor’s. And in this antsy period, it isn’t uncommon for most gardeners like you who face the same issue to ask whether pineapple sage blooms.
So, does pineapple sage bloom? Of course, all varieties of pineapple sage bloom, but blooming occurs late into summer to early fall or autumn. When it is due for blooming, it produces bright red flowers.
Why Isn’t My Pineapple Sage Blooming?
The pineapple sage is an ornamental plant that blooms, producing stunning red flowers. The pineapple sage’s flowers are the parts where its reproductive processes take place.
Pineapple sage needs to bloom as the flowers are critical to its reproduction. However, as soon as the seeds of the pineapple sage plant are formed, the flowers die off.
And all varieties of pineapple sage typically produce flowers. So, if yours doesn’t bloom, it could be because of the following reasons :
1. Inadequate Light Exposure
Inadequate light exposure is a factor that affects the blooming of pineapple sage. Pineapple sage typically requires at least eight hours of sunlight to grow healthy.
In the absence of sunlight, it will hamper the plant’s productivity. Apart from being unable to grow well and produce healthy leaves, any pineapple sage without proper sunlight won’t produce flowers.
2. Moisture Levels
Insufficient moisture levels also prevent pineapple sage from blooming. Pineapple sage requires a minimal level of moisture to be able to transport resources to its several parts.
If there isn’t enough water in the soil for your plant to absorb, it may not develop flowers.
3. Seasons of the Year
Pineapple sage blooms only in specific seasons of the year. Pineapple sage is a summer to autumn bloomer, so don’t expect it to bloom when that time of the year is not due yet.
On the other hand, they may bloom into the winter, too, depending on how nicely you treat them.
4. Soil type
The type of soil you plant your pineapple sage in affects its blooming. Although your pineapple sage may seem to be performing well, the type of soil is also a determining factor of whether it will bloom or how well it will bloom. A pineapple sage will grow and bloom well on well-drained soil.
5. Variety Matters
The variety of pineapple sage determines how early it will bloom. For example, the honey melon pineapple sage blooms earlier during the summer than the other sages.
6. Timing
The time you plant your pineapple sage is also a factor that will determine how quickly it blooms. Blooming in sage is in line with the popular cliche, “the earlier, the better.”
Pineapple sages will do well and bloom better if they are planted at the right time. And the right time for planting a pineapple sage is at the beginning of the spring season, at least one to two weeks before frosting begins for the year.
7. Soil Fertility
Furthermore, the fertility of the soil also determines your pineapple sage’s bloom. As with every other plant, pineapple sages require very fertile soils to do well.
Therefore, its growth and how fast it will bloom are dependent on how fertile the soil it is planted on is.
8. Trimming or Pruning
Trimming or pruning will aid further branching and production of more blooms in pineapple sage. However, cutting down dead heads won’t stop its blooming.
Nevertheless, the heads you cut should be approximately 12-15 inches above the ground.
9. Spacing
Proper spacing aids blooming in pineapple sage. Generally, when plants are well-spaced, they grow and do better.
Likewise, when appropriately spaced, Pineapple sages will grow well and produce buds that will later bloom into flowers.
It would be best to plant your pineapple sage 24 inches to 36 inches apart from other plants.
Also, it is essential to note that it isn’t good to plant them in front of other smaller plants as they may grow and cover them up.
What Month Does Pineapple Sage Bloom?
Pineapple sage typically blooms from August to October. However, these months fall within late summer to mid-fall as these are the periods when pineapple sage blooms.
How to Get Pineapple Sage to Bloom?
Now that you know what delays are blooming in sage, it would be best to tackle them immediately. So, to get a pineapple sage to bloom, the following tips will be beneficial to you:
1. Plant your pineapple sage on good soil. When you plant your pineapple sage on fertile, well-aerated soil, you’re providing a suitable environment for it to develop well.
And one part of development is reproduction, where flower blooming comes in.
2. Plant your pineapple sage in the right season, it doesn’t mean pineapple sage is a perennial, so it can grow and bloom anytime. For example, it would be best to plant your sage in spring, between March, April, and May.
This way, you’ll expect your pineapple sage to bloom in the fall. Furthermore, planting it late will only delay its bloom till the next suitable season.
3. Ensure your pineapple sage receives enough sunlight. Planting your pineapple sage in an area where it can absorb a substantial amount of the sun’s rays daily will aid its blooming process.
4. Ensure you water your plant regularly. Providing the appropriate amount of moisture for your pineapple sage will enable your plant to transport resources to develop flowers.
Conclusion
Sometimes, it can be pretty frustrating not to see your pineapple sage blooming. And this may make you ponder whether the variety blooms.
Well, while all pineapple sage varieties bloom, their development depends on a lot of factors.
Luckily, if you take the precautions I have mentioned in this article, you’ll have your sage producing those colorful flowers in no time.