Also, the branches are turning brown in some spots. More photos of the same plant.

I appreciate your comments

clay pots were historically used in turn of the century greenhouses.. think harry potter mandrake class ..

i found it near impossible to grow things in clay pots ... they shed water thru the die walls.. making it very hard to properly water plants ... also wind dries teh pots.. as well as sun heat..etc ..

next time you repot... use a plastic pot inside a pretty pot.. so you get the benefits of a proper pot.. plus the decorative effect you wish ...

can we see the whole plant.. i wonder if the plant has outgrown the pot...

i also suggest you use a good potting mix like promix.. instead of your own concoction...

pot medium is a water management system that is engineered to hold the water needed for a given plant.. and then shed excess.. or hold additional...

finally.. in my MI.. i think of the food herbs as short lived plants... so i wonder if your plant is just not getting old.. of course you CA peeps might tell me they live for centuries... anyway.. thats why i want to see the whole plant...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=pro-mix+bx&t=ftsa&iax=images&ia=images

Contrary to what some posters may assume, there is absolutely nothing wrong with terra cotta or unglazed clay pots!! They have been in use for centuries, long before any plastic was ever available, and with generally excellent results. And they offer distinct advantages for any somewhat droughty plants - most herbs included. Plastic pots tend to become water saturated, especially when soil media or watering practices are not ideal. Terra cotta drains freely, both from any drainage holes as well via the clay itself. Because of this porosity, which plastic lacks, terra cotta or clay pots are able to "breathe", allowing easy oxygen exchange and cooling potting soils in hot summer climates.

I also have few concerns about your choice of potting media. Commercial, prepared potting soils are for the most part unsuitable, which is one of the primary reasons experienced container gardeners tend to make their own. Provided yours contains enough perlite and coarse sand, it should be very free draining yet adequately moisture retentive and that should suit the salvia well.

As to what's up with your pineapple sage, it could be one or a combination of several issues. This is a very temperature and day length sensitive plant. It is not full evergreen, even in its native environment, and it will freely drop leaves well into the late part of the season in response to shorter days and cooling temps. It could also be a watering issue........best not to rely on any sort of schedule but water thoroughly only as needed. The need to water can be determined by a 'tell' or simply by testing the weight of the pot - if heavy, skip; if lightweight, then give a good drink. And any plant grown in a container will need regular applications of a dilute liquid fertilizer to keep the plant happy and properly nourished.

Probably too much sun, and maybe too much water. Where was it located at the nursery, indoors or out? It probably should have been gradually introduced to full sun.

"Too much sun" is a unlikely concern for any salvia. And the vast majority of west coast nurseries offer virtually all their plants - with the exception of shade lovers - outdoors.

In the nursery the plant was outside an in a smaller pot.