Scientific Name
Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.
Common Name(s)
Pineapple
Synonym(s)
Bromelia comosa, Ananas bracteatus, Ananas coccineus, Ananas sativa, Bromelia ananas, Bromelia communis, Bromelia rubra, Distiacanthus communis
Scientific Classification
Family: Bromeliaceae
Subfamily: Bromelioideae
Genus: Ananas
Origin
Ananas comosus is native to dry forest or thorn scrub vegetation regions of South America.
Flower
Color: Bright red
Bloom Time: Indeterminate
Description
Ananas comosus is a terrestrial bromeliad that forms a rosette of coarse spiny leaves with offsets produced at the base of the parent plant. It grows up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall. The central rosette gives rise to a tall, thick stem bearing a large oval cluster of spiny bright red flowers topped with a plume of coarse, dense foliage when mature.
The flowers are followed by the huge oval composite fruits called Pineapples.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Growing Pineapples is very simple. Because of their tough leaves, they lose little water through evaporation. They have small root systems like other Bromeliads and are not fussy about their soil's quality or quantity. Due to this, they make excellent container-grown plants, especially nice for those of us whose climate is less than tropical. Growing Pineapple plants in the garden is a match made in heaven if you live in a warmer region.
To start growing Pineapples, you'll either need the top of a store-bought Pineapple, or if you know someone growing their own, ask for a sucker or slip. If you're using the top of a purchased Pineapple, make sure to remove all the fruit pulp as well as the small bottom leaves. Remove the tiny leaves from the bottom of the suckers too. Just pull them off.
Then, simply dig a shallow hole in the garden or a pot and plunk the top or sucker into it. If possible, choose a sunny spot, although Pineapples will grow in dappled shade. Firm the soil around the base, and if the soil is dry, give the plant some water.
See more at How to Grow and Care for a Pineapple.
Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Ananas
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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