Ananas comosus (Pineapple)

Botanical name

Ananas comosus

Other names

Pineapple, Pina, Ananas

Genus

Ananas Ananas

Species

A. comosus - A. comosus is a tender, variable, rosette-forming, evergreen perennial bromeliad with spiny, sword-shaped, slightly recurved, dark green leaves and, in summer, oblong to oval inflorescences composed of purple or violet flowers with prominent red bracts. Flowers are followed by fleshy, swollen, leaf-crowned, yellow-brown fruit with yellow, edible, sweet flesh.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Rosette

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Colour

Flower

Red, Purple in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Remove faded foliage as needed

Propagation

Sever the leafy crown of the fruit. Allow to dry 1-2 days before rooting in indirect light in a moist peat and sand mixture at 21C.

Propagation methods

Offsets

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Ananas comosus (Pineapple) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in bromeliad compost in full light & low humidity. In growth, water freely & feed weekly as fruit begins to swell. Keep just moist in winter. Indoor fruit tends to be less flavourful than field grown fruit.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 12, Zone 11

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Ananas comosus (Pineapple)

Common pest name

False codling moth

Scientific pest name

Thaumatotibia leucotreta

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous pest; detected mainly on citrus and peppers. EU regulation under consideration following recurrent interceptions.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/