Ananas

( ah - nah - nas )

At-A-Glance Information

The small genus Ananas, commonly known as Pineapple or Piñas, is the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. Species are perennial and native to South America, where they have been cultivated as a crop for centuries. Plants have a short, stocky stem clothed with tough, waxy green linear leaves that emerge from a basal tuft of foliage. They will form clumps over time if given some space. Grow these productive plants as members of edible gardens, or simply as specimens in the landscape or greenhouse.

Ananas Species and Varietals

The genus Ananas is a member of the plant family Bromeliaceae and includes 2 species. Ananas plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones 10-12. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Ananas comosus (Bromelia comosa) (Pineapple)
These plants are indigenous to South America, and form small shrubby plants with linear green foliage. Large flowering stems rise from the center of foliage and hold upwards of 100 flowers each, which are pollinated by hummingbirds. These flowers form into berries, which then coalesce into a large, compact, multiple fruit. Individual plants reach up to 3-4 feet tall and wide. There are ornamental cultivars of this species available with variegated foliage.

Ananas macrodontes (False Pineapple)
This species is native to an area that spans Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Northern Argentina. These plants are not harvested extensively for their fruits; they are more commonly treated as ornamentals in the landscape for their colorful foliage. They are sometimes used as a hedge or screening plant due to the spines on their foliage.

Caring for Ananas

When working with Ananas plants, wear gloves to protect hands from the sharp leaves. Plant your Ananas, or Pineapple, in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and subsequent fruit. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 4.5 and 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered to be somewhat drought-tolerant, but will produce better fruits if provided with consistent moisture. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. If you will be harvesting plants for their fruits or seeds, make sure to leave the flowering head on the plant to develop. For more information on cultivating Pineapple plants for their edible fruits, see the section on Harvesting Ananas below. Ananas plants are considered monocarpic, which means that after fruiting, the mother plant will perish. Offshoots (also called suckers, slips, or ratoons) will be left behind, and can be removed and planted elsewhere.

Caring for Ananas in Containers
In more temperate zones where temperatures drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, a good option is to grow them in containers and bring them indoors during the cooler months of the year. Choose a pot that is at least a 5-gallon (up to 10 gallon) size to accommodate the mature plant and its root system. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix (citrus or cactus potting mixes are typically sufficient). Top substrate with a layer of organic mulch to maintain consistent soil temperatures and increase soil moisture retention. Place the container in an area that receives full sun during the day; 6-8 hours is ideal for the best growth and production. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Berberis plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Move plants indoors into a space that receives bright light once temperatures drop below around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that they are not getting any cool, dry air and maintain adequate humidity. After the plant fruits, the mother plant will die, leaving behind offshoots that can be replanted in their own pots.

Caring for Ananas Indoors
Ananas are commonly kept as indoor houseplants or in greenhouses, where they can be grown year-round for their edible fruits or simply used as ornamentals. Choose a pot that is at least a 5-gallon (up to 10 gallon) size to accommodate the mature plant and its root system. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix (citrus or cactus potting mixes are typically sufficient). Top substrate with a layer of organic mulch to maintain consistent soil temperatures and increase soil moisture retention. Place the container in an area that receives bright light; ideally they should be getting at least 6 hours of bright, indirect light each day. South- or West-facing windows are perfect. If natural light is insufficient, supplement with a full-spectrum LED grow light positioned 6-12 inches above the plant for 12-16 hours each day. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Berberis plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. After the plant fruits, the mother plant will die, leaving behind offshoots that can be replanted in their own pots.

Harvesting Ananas (Pineapple)
Take care when cultivating these fruits, as some individuals are sensitive to skin contact with juices, and irritation of the throat, mouth, and tongue can occur from ingesting raw fruit. When harvesting, wear gloves to protect hands from the sharp leaves. Fruits ripen in their native range from March through July (spring and summer). The warmer the climate they are grown in, the longer the harvesting season will be. They are ripe when their exterior has attained a golden-yellow coloring and has a strong, sweet aroma. Using a sharp, clean gardening knife or shears, cut the stem at the base of the fruit. Store whole, unripe pineapples at room temperature, or whole ripe pineapples in the refrigerator for about a week. Cut pineapple should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for seven days.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Ananas, or Pineapple plants, can be propagated either by using offset division, cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Pineapple plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Ananas by Division
The easiest way to propagate an Ananas plant is by pulling off pups from the mother plant. Gather a a clean trowel or knife and a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix (citrus or cactus potting mixes are typically sufficient). Then, follow these steps:

Loosen the soil around the bottom of your Ananas plant where the pup has formed and locate the root that is connecting it to the parent plant. Cut the root with a sharp, clean trowel or knife.
Gently remove the pup, keeping as many roots attached as possible. Then, place your pup in a shaded, dry area that receives good ventilation for a few days, until it forms a callous where it was cut from the parent plant. This will help the pup to avoid rotting once it is placed in soil.
Plant the pup and lightly moisten the soil, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the container in an area that receives bright light and stays relatively warm (between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Give the pup water every time the top inch or two of soil dry out, but don't saturate the soil. After a few weeks of this watering schedule, the pup should be ready to be planted outside in its permanent home. Then, follow the instructions in the care section to grow your pup into an adult plant.

Propagating Ananas by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a pot. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 2-3 inch long portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about two to three weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Ananas by Seed

To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest the seeds. Slice open the pineapple plant and search for the small, dark brown seeds located between the flesh and skin or within the fruit itself. Rinse seeds off and lay them out to dry.
To pre-germinate the seeds, place them folded inside of a moist paper towel in a plastic bag or other sealable container. Leave the container in an area that stays between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit until they begin to sprout. They can then be planted in soil.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place seeds in the prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water gently, taking care to not dislodge the small germinated seeds. Place the tray in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, while the plant grows. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home, either outdoors or inside in a pot.
Pineapple plants grown from seed will take about 2-3 years or longer to mature enough to be able to produce fruits.