Is Pineapple Water Good for Plants? Here’s What Every Garden Lover Should Know

Common Names: pineapple and ananas in English, piña in Spanish, nanas in Javanese and Malay, apangdan in Tagalog (Filipino), and yaannat, sapparot, or bonat in Thai

History: Pineapple has apparently been cultivated by indigenous people of the tropical Americas and the Caribbean Region for thousands of years. New World explorers then distributed pineapple during the 1500s to 1700s to new areas including Europe, Africa, and Asia. The commercial export trade began during early 19th century from the West Indies. This led to further commercial development in the Caribbean during the mid-19th century. However, with the improvement in refrigerated sea transportation by the end of the 19th century, production shifted to Hawaii, Asia, and Africa. In the US, Puerto Rico and Hawaii have moderately large and important industries. Pineapples are not grown commercially in Florida but are common dooryard yard plants in warm locations throughout the state. The first recorded introduction of pineapple into Florida was in 1860.

Importance: Pineapple is one of the most important tropical fruits after mango, banana, and citrus. Fresh fruit production is a major industry in Central and South America and processed fruit in Asia.

The pineapple is a herbaceous perennial with long sword-like leaves arranged in a spiral around a central stem and a terminal inflorescence. Leaves may or may not bear marginal spines depending upon variety and cultural practices. Adult plants may be 3 to 6 feet (0.9–1.8 m) high and wide.

The leaves are sessile and whorled around a central stem. They increase in size toward the top of the plant. Individual leaves range in length from 2 to 8 inches long (5–20 cm) for young plants and up to slightly more than 5 feet long (1.5 m) on mature, healthy plants. Leaves taper progressively toward the tip and end in a sharp point. Leaves may or may not have spines along their edges depending upon variety and growing conditions. The leaves are semi-rigid and allow the plant to collect water at the base of the leaves, where aerial roots may absorb water and nutrients. Once the plant has produced between 70 and 80 leaves it is ready to flower.

The fruit peduncle (stem) and inflorescence develop from the apical growing point. The emergence of the inflorescence is called the red heart stage due to the reddish peduncle bracts at the base of the inflorescence. The inflorescence consists of from 50 to over 200 individual flowers and is capped by a crown of numerous short leaves (up to 150).

The individual flowers are hermaphroditic (bisexual) with three sepals and petals, six stamens and one pistil. The flower petals are white at their bases to violet-blue at their tips. Each flower is surrounded by a hairy bract.

Generally, the first flowers open 50 or so days after flower induction and flowering continues for 20 to 40 days. Usually, one to 10 flowers open daily beginning around midnight and close the following evening.

Pineapple plants are self-incompatible, meaning pollen from the same variety will not result in seed production and seedy fruit. However, growing several varieties next to each other that flower simultaneously may result in seedy fruit. To prevent seed formation, either grow only one variety or induce flowering at different times.

The fruit of pineapple is a seedless syncarp. A syncarp is a fruit derived from the fusion of many individual flowers into one fruit. The fruit consists of the fused ovaries, bases of sepals and bracts, and cortex of the central core. When fruit are mature (ready to pick), the individual fruitlets flatten, and the peel color begins to change from green to yellow progressively from the base to the top of the fruit. Fruit may weigh up to 5 lbs (2.3 kg) or more. Ripe fruit have a yellow-green to yellow peel and pleasant aroma. The pulp is yellow to golden yellow, sweet, and juicy.

There are numerous pineapple varieties; however, the more common fresh fruit varieties sold in the US include Del Monte Gold® (also called MD2) and Tropical Gold® and similar clones. Smooth Cayenne was one of the most common varieties grown and exported fresh to the US mainland, but it is not common now. Other varieties that may be difficult to find for planting include Red Spanish, Singapore Spanish, Green Spanish, Sugarloaf , and Queen. There are many variants of these pineapple varieties.

Pineapple plants are best adapted to the warmest areas of Florida, along the southeast and southwest coasts. However, pineapple plants are grown in protected locations and landscapes throughout Florida. The time from planting to harvest depends upon the cultivar, cultural practices, and temperature; it ranges from 18 to 24 months.

Cool and Freezing Temperatures

Pineapple plants do not tolerate freezing temperatures below 28°F (-2.0°C), and temperatures below 60°F (15.5°C) and above 90°F (32°C) may slow plant growth. Optimum temperatures for pineapple growth range between 68°F and 86°F (20°C–30°C). Chilling injury caused by low, near freezing temperatures or light frosts may result in the upper leaf surfaces developing a red/white flecked, scorched appearance and pulp rotting of the fruit. Some protection may be obtained by covering outdoor pineapple plants with an insulating material such as blankets or mulch. Plants grown in containers may be taken inside.

Pineapple plants are tolerant of dry soil and weather conditions; however, plant growth and fruit production will be reduced. Symptoms of drought develop slowly but include wilting of the older leaves, leaf color change from dark to pale green, then yellow and red, and curling of the leaf margins.

Pineapple plants are not tolerant of excessively or continuously wet or flooded soil conditions. Generally, growth and production are reduced and susceptibility to root rot is increased, which may lead to plant death.

In general, pineapple plants are tolerant of windy conditions, although some reduction in plant growth and fruit stalk toppling may occur. Symptoms of wind stress include browning of the leaf tips and margins. Hurricane-force winds may cause toppling or uprooting.

Wind-borne salt spray results in blackish spots near the tips of leaves.

Pineapple are typically propagated from new vegetative growth from the original (mother) plant. There are four types of common planting material: the crown of the fruit; slips and hapas, which arise from the stalk below the fruit; suckers, which arise from the leaf axils of leaves; and ratoons, which arise from underground portions of the stem. The crown consists of the leaves and top 1/2 to 3/4 inches (13–19 mm) of the top of the fruit. Slips originate from the fruit stalk below the fruit and have a characteristic curve to the base of the leaves. Hapas are similar to slips but develop well below the base of the fruit and do not have the characteristic curve at the base of the leaves. Slips and hapas should be left on the peduncle for several weeks after harvesting the fruit to develop a usable size for planting.

Suckers develop along the bases of the leaves and should be left on the plant after fruit harvest to develop usable size for planting. The central stem may also be used to propagate new plants and is usually cut into several pieces. In all cases, the larger the crowns, slips, hapas, suckers, and stem pieces, the more rapid the growth and time to fruiting after planting.

To start new plants, detach the slips, hapas, or crown from the original plant and let them air dry in the shade for a day or two. Plant in clean soil media in the prepared area of the landscape or in containers.

Individual pineapple plants may produce up to two fruit (plant crop and ratoon crop). The ratoon (second) fruit is produced from a sucker that arises below the fruit and is allowed to grow. After harvesting the first fruit (primary or plant crop), remove all suckers and hapas but one. This will then develop into the ratoon crop. Continuously harvesting and planting suckers, hapas, or crowns from the original plant will result in a continuous supply of new fruit. The time from planting to harvest of the fruit ranges from 18 to 36 months in subtropical climates.

Pineapple plants are an excellent choice for planting in home landscapes with little open space. In general, pineapple plants should be planted in full sun for best growth and fruit production. Select a part of the landscape at least 5 feet (1.5 m) away from other trees, buildings and structures where minimal shading occurs. The distance between individual pineapple plants ranges from 12 to 36 inches (21–91 cm). In general, wider spacing among plants allows for production of larger plants and fruit than close spacing among plants.

In cold areas, planting near structures will afford plants some cold protection during the winter, but it will slow plant growth. In general, plant growth, time to flowering, and fruit size and quality will be reduced if plants are grown in the shade.

Removing suckers, slips, and hapas during plant growth and fruit development will hasten the development of the fruit and increase fruit size. However, allowing a few suckers or slips or hapas to grow will supply new planting material after the first fruit is harvested.

Pineapple plants grow best in moderately fertile, sandy loam soils of neutral to mildly acid pH. Plants will grow satisfactorily in sandy and calcareous soils with attention to watering and fertilizer. Pineapple should be grown in well-drained soils and areas of the landscape that do not flood.

Planting a Pineapple Plant

Proper planting is one of the most important steps in suc- cessfully establishing and growing a rapidly productive pineapple plant. The first step is to choose a healthy nursery plant. Commonly, nursery pineapple plants are grown in 1- to 3-gallon (3.8- to 11-liter) containers and plants stand 6 inches to 2 feet (15–61 cm) from the soil media. Large plants in smaller containers should be avoided because the root system may restricted. Restricted root systems may not grow properly once planted in the ground or larger container. Inspect the plant for insect pests and diseases. Select a healthy plant and water it regularly in preparation for planting in the ground or larger container.

In general, pineapple plants should be planted in full sun for best growth and fruit production. Select a part of the landscape away from other trees and buildings and structures. Remember, pineapple plants need full sun for best growth and production. Select the warmest area of the landscape that does not flood (or remain wet) after typical summer rains.

6 common mistakes to avoid when growing pineapples from the top/crown

FAQ

What fruit water is good for plants?

Banana or banana peel water is liquid compost or ‘compost tea’ made from cut peels. It contains many components plants need to stay healthy and continue growing. Feeding banana water to your green pets is a great way to use up any excess fruit before they go rotten. New to DIY plant care?

Are pineapples good for plants?

Pineapple peels can also be composted, which can be especially beneficial for acid-loving plants like corn, cucumbers, and azaleas.

Can I use pineapple as fertilizer?

Rotted organic material creates compost, and pineapples are a great source of organic plant fertilizer. Pineapple compost contains nutrients such as phosphorous and zinc, which encourage healthy plant growth. Plus, gardening with pineapple compost can reduce your use of synthetic fertilizer.