Ananas comosus, also known as pineapple or pineapple, is a tropical bromeliad with a juicy, sweet-sour fruit and a rosette of spiky leaves.

Origin

• Originally from tropical South America, especially the Paraná-Paraguay river basin in southern Brazil and Paraguay.
• Grown worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions; The largest producers are Costa Rica, the Philippines, Brazil, Thailand and Indonesia.
• Belongs to the Bromeliaceae family; adapted to warm, humid climates with well-drained soils.

Care

• Grows as a slow-growing, perennial herbaceous plant up to 1–1.5 metres tall and wide with a rosette of long, spiky, grey-green leaves.
• Prefers bright, indirect light to light full sun; direct bright sunlight can burn leaves; Ideal in a light spot indoors or in the greenhouse.
• Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5), such as bromeliad or cactus mix with the addition of perlite or bark; Avoid heavy, wet soil (root rot risk).
• Watering: moderate; pour water into the heart of the rosette (tank plant) and let the top layer dry between waterings; sensitive to wet feet; in summer 1x a week, winter less.
• Temperature: warm (18–27 °C ideal); not frost-resistant in the Netherlands/Belgium as a houseplant or container plant and overwinter frost-free (min. 10–15 °C, light spot).
• Humidity: high (60–80 %); Spray regularly or place on a saucer with damp pebbles.
• Fertilization: in growing season (spring/summer) every 4–6 weeks a diluted bromeliad or orchid fertilizer (low nitrogen, no heavy phosphorus); Not much in winter.
• Extra tip: induce flowering with ethylene (e.g. put apple next to it or acetylene treatment); plant flowers only once (after 18–24 months), then produces one fruit and pups; Low maintenance as a houseplant.

Usage

• Culinary uses: fruit eaten fresh, in salads, smoothies, desserts, pizza curries, chutneys, jams, juice, cocktails (piña colada) or canned; young leaves and buds sometimes as vegetables.
• Nutritional value: high in vitamin C, manganese, fiber and antioxidants; low in calories; Helps with digestion and immune system.