Ananas bracteatus

RHS Plant Profile

red pineapple

RHS

Other common names

wild pineapple

Synonyms

Ananas sativus var. bracteatus

Conservatory Greenhouse

A terrestrial bromeliad with a rosette of brownish-green, lance-shaped, evergreen leaves up to 50cm long, with upward-pointing spines. In summer produces a tight cluster of yellowish-red flowers, with red bracts, on a stout, upright stem followed by green-brown pineapples up to 15cm long which are edible but not very fleshy. Image shows Ananas bracteatus 'Tricolor'

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1A

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Bromeliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Ananas are evergreen, terrestrial bromeliads with basal rosettes of spiny-margined, lance-shaped leaves. In summer, they produce showy flowers in dense, terminal, cone-like clusters followed by fleshy, edible fruit
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Brazil to Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in terrestrial bromeliad compost in full light, low to moderately humidity and no draughts. Water freely when growing and flowering, reduce slightly and add a balanced liquid feed weekly when in fruit, keep barely moist at other times.

Propagation

Root basal offsets in early summer, or sever the leafy rosette at the top of the fruit, allow it a day or two to callus then root it in a barely moist mix of peat substitute and sand in indirect light at 21C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free