Pineapple

Ananas comosus

click pic to enlarge

Zone 10

Pineapples are bromeliads, herbaceous perennials, some growing to 4 feet in the warmest parts of Florida.  Most pineapple varieties have striped leaves with small but sharp spines along all of the edges.  They grow in clumps.  The fruit grows from the center of mature pieces

Hawaii is known for its pineapple production.   The first fruits were brought to the islands about 1886 from Guyana.  The variety was Ananas comosus 'Smooth Cayenne' which is a green pineapple with yellow or brown fruits

Native to Tropical America in southern Brazil, pineapples are popular in the landscape both for their foliage and the appearance of fruit

For quality fruit, you need fertile organic soil, somewhat sandy and well drained.  Pineapple is a heavy feeder if you want good sized fruit.  Plant only in full sun to develop leaf colors and best possible fruit.  From a small plant to fruit maturity is commonly near 2 years

Ananas comosus 'variegatus' is more popular than the green for ornamental purposes.  Also, the pink pineapple is sought for its foliage and pink fruits adding tropical atmosphere wherever they are planted

For propagation, there are 3 ways to go:

• If you have a plant, you can divide the 'ratoons' (root parts) of mature plants
• Less mature, you can separate side suckers from the mother plant
• If you have no plant, buy a pineapple at your grocery.  Cut off the top leaving about 1/2 inch of meat.  Plant the top immediately only slightly below the surface of your soil

In all three cases, water moderately but keep soil moist, not wet.  Thereafter, more water will be needed, but always insure good drainage.  You can even expect results from poor tops like this.  Soon, your piece will start to grow like these.   Pineapples respond very well to good fertilizer

Ananas nanus is a dwarf pineapple.  This variety is reasonably suited to indoor culture.  Bright, warm conditions are required