Description
The Pineapple (Ananas bracteatus) is a herbaceous perennial with long sword-like leaves arranged in a spiral around a central stem and a terminal inflorescence.
The small, violet-purple flowers emerge from between spiny, red or pink bracts on egg-shaped inflorescences.The inflorescences are followed by brownish pink to scarlet, leafy-topped, compound pineapple fruits.
The leaves are long, linear, arching, solid dark green or variegated with white, pink, red, or yellow, and edged with sharp spines that curve up toward the leaf tips.
Plant Specifications
*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%
| Common Name |
Pineapple |
| Maximum Reachable Height |
3-6 feet |
| Flower Colour |
Violet. The more conspicuous inflorescences are red or reddish pink. |
| Bloom Time |
Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall |
| Difficulty Level |
Easy |
Planting and care
Mulching pineapple plants in the home landscape helps retain soil moisture, reduces weed problems next to the plant, and improves the soil near the surface. Mulch with a 2 to 6 inch (5 to 15 cm) layer of bark, wood chips, or similar mulch material. Keep mulch 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) from the base of the plant.
Pineapple care
A pineapple plant flowers only once, and produces one pineapple. Then it dies. But before it dies it also produces offspring.Suckers are little plantlets that grow between the leaves of the mature pineapple.
If you leave the suckers in place you get what is called a ratoon crop . That is the least amount of work for the next crop, just do nothing. But it has a few disadvantages.
The plants start to crowd each other out and to compete for food, light and water. As a result the next lot of pineapple fruit is much smaller.
The other disadvantage is that if you leave the suckers in place you only get a few. The original pineapple plant thinks it has fulfilled it s purpose in life and reproduced, and it dies.
| Sunlight |
Full sun to part shade |
| Watering |
Water your plant as needed, allowing it to dry out some between watering. |
| Soil |
Light soil mix with perlite and sand.
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) |
| Temperature |
Temperatures below 60 degrees F (15.5 degrees C) and above 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) may slow plant growth. |
| Fertilizer |
Soluble house plant fertilizer once or twice a month during spring and summer. |
Pineapple uses
Culinary Use:
- The flesh and juice of the pineapple are used in cuisines around the world
- In many tropical countries, pineapple is prepared and sold on roadsides as a snack
- It is sold whole or in halves with a stick inserted
- Whole, cored slices with a cherry in the middle are a common garnish on hams in the West
- Chunks of pineapple are used in desserts such as fruit salad, as well as in some savory dishes, including pizza toppings, or as a grilled ring on a hamburger
- Crushed pineapple is used in yogurt, jam, sweets, and ice cream
- The juice of the pineapple is served as a beverage, and it is also the main ingredient in cocktails such as the pina colada and in the drink tepache
