Jessie Keith
Family
Bromeliaceae
Botanical Name
Ananas comosus 'Ivory Coast'
Plant Common Name
Ivory Coast Pineapple, Variegated Pineapple
General Description
A cultivar of pineapple grown for its colorful foliage rather than its edible fruit, 'Ivory Coast' is an evergreen, terrestrial, rosette-forming perennial whose erect, sword-shaped, olive-green leaves have creamy white, spineless edges. Mature specimens produce pyramidal clusters of small lavender flowers with showy pink bracts. These are borne atop a stout central stem in summer. The flowers give rise to fleshy amber or golden brown fruitlets that fuse into a large, cone-shaped pineapple. The fruit and bracts remain attractive for many months.
Pineapple needs full to nearly full sun and well-drained, highly organic, acid soil. High humidity is not required for good growth. Full sun promotes faint pink blushing on the leaves. Rosettes die after flowering and fruiting, perpetuating themselves by offsets (called pups) at their base. Leave the pups when cutting back the plant. This pineapple makes a striking plant for a patio or sun room and thrives in balmy tropical climates. Pineapple sometimes succeeds in southern California and Florida, if grown in protected microclimates. Ananas comosus is believed to be native to Brazil.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Rosette/Stemless
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Red
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Fruit Color
Yellow Green, Gold
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated, Striped/Striated
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Houseplant, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds
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Self-Sowing
No
