Pineapple Ananas comosus
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Bromeliaceae family, native to Paraguay and southern Brazil. It grows 70 cm–1.2 m (28 in–3.9 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Pineapple in your garden →
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Pineapple at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Bromeliaceae |
| Mature height | 70 cm–1.2 m (28 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 64–86 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Paraguay and southern Brazil |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Pineapple toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
- Parts: unripe fruit, sap
Bromelain in the unripe fruit and sap irritates the mouth; the leaf tips are sharp but the plant is listed as non-toxic to pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pineapple
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Pineapple in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (8 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (4 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (6 plants)
Questions about Pineapple
- How far apart should I plant Pineapple?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Pineapple need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pineapple need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pineapple?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Pineapple flower?
- About 64–86 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Pineapple poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people mildly toxic. Bromelain in the unripe fruit and sap irritates the mouth; the leaf tips are sharp but the plant is listed as non-toxic to pets.
- What grows well with Pineapple?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pineapple. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Treated as a perennial that fruits once in 18–24 months, then sends up suckers for ratoon crops. FAO-56 kc is for bare soil under plastic or mulch. Frost kills the leaves; grow in containers in cool climates.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Urn plant (silver vase bromeliad) Aechmea fasciata
- Scarlet star bromeliad Guzmania lingulata
- Imperial bromeliad Alcantarea imperialis
- Chilean puya Puya chilensis
- Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides
- Air plant (blushing tillandsia) Tillandsia ionantha
- Blushing bromeliad Neoregelia carolinae
- Flaming sword (vriesea) Lutheria splendens