Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

ANANAS

Image of Ananas

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Bromeliaceae

Botanical Name

ANANAS

Plant Common Name

Pineapple

General Description

These terrestrial, evergreen perennials from South America are grown for their handsome foliage, striking flowers, and edible fruits. Ananas comprises some 8 species including the pineapple, A. comosus. Plants form basal rosettes of tall, sword-shaped, saw-toothed leaves which give rise in summer to stout erect flower stems. Borne in a terminal spike, the three-petaled, red or blue flowers have prominent, often colorful basal bracts. Pulpy fruits follow the blooms, merging to form a large cone-shaped composite fruit, which is often edible. Plants typically flower and fruit well for several years, dwindling thereafter. Container-grown plants usually produce smaller fruits than those grown outdoors in tropical conditions. When not in flower, plants provide ample ornamental interest through their architectural and often colorful foliage (several variegated Ananas are commonly available). Besides pineapple, other commonly grown Ananas include red pineapple (A. bracteatus), named for its rosy flower bracts, and A. nanus, which resembles a scaled-down A. comosus. These bromeliads need warmth and well-drained soil with ample organic matter. Give them a sunny to partly shaded site in a warm room or greenhouse, or use them in the landscape in tropical gardens. Pineapple sometimes succeeds in southern California and Florida in warm microclimates. Keep soil relatively moist while plants are in active growth; water sparingly at other times. High humidity is not required. Propagate plants by detaching and potting up offsets, or by severing and rooting the composite fruit's leafy "cap."

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    11 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    18"-72" / 45.7cm - 182.9cm

  • Width

    18"-60" / 45.7cm - 152.4cm

  • Bloom Time

    Summer

  • Native To

    South America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Rosette/Stemless

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Red, Blue

  • Fruit Color

    Yellow, Orange, Brown, Ivory

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Blue Green, Olive

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Blue Green, Olive

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Blue Green, Olive

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Blue Green, Olive

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Cutflower, Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    No