Pineapple/Ananas Comosus/ Care, Botanical Garden

Check the Complete List of PlantsTrees, Ornamental and Medicinal Plants

Pineapple/Ananas comosus

Scientific Name: Ananas comosus
Common Names: Pineapple, Piña, Ananá
Family: Bromeliaceae

🌍 Place of Origin

Native to South America, likely present-day Paraguay and southern Brazil. Spread through the Caribbean and Central America by Indigenous peoples and later carried across the world by explorers.

🪴 Growing Conditions

• USDA Growing Zones: 9–11 (can survive in 8 with protection)

• Soil pH: 4.5–6.5 (acidic, sandy, and well-drained)

• Sunlight: ☀️ Full sun

• Water Needs: 💧 Moderate – prefers moist but not soggy soil; drought-tolerant once mature

• Drought Tolerance: ✅ Good

• Indoor Potting: 🪴 Yes – great for pots, especially dwarf varieties

• Best Use in Landscape:
  Excellent in edible gardens, containers, and tropical borders; a dramatic accent in xeriscapes and patios

🌺 Uses & Symbolism

• Culinary Use: The sweet, juicy fruit is eaten fresh, grilled, juiced, or used in desserts, cocktails, and savory dishes

• Cultural Symbolism: International symbol of hospitality, welcome, and friendship — once a rare and prized fruit in royal courts

• Other Uses: Leaf fibers used in textile production in some cultures; fruit rind composted for garden nutrients

⚕️ Medicinal Properties & Studies

• Traditional Uses: Used for digestion, inflammation, respiratory issues, and as a diuretic in folk medicine

• Modern Findings:

  • Contains bromelain, a powerful digestive enzyme with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties

  • Studied for benefits in arthritis relief, sinus inflammation, and post-surgical recovery

• Pharmacological Actions:
  Anti-inflammatory, proteolytic enzyme, digestive aid, immune support

• Vitamins & Minerals:
  High in Vitamin C, manganese, B1 (thiamine), folate, and antioxidants

🐾 Toxicity & Safety

• Toxic to Pets: ⚠️ Mildly – large amounts can upset stomachs; unripe fruit or plant parts may be irritating

• Insecticidal Properties: 🚫 No known insect repellent properties

• Pollinators: 🐝 Attracts hummingbirds and native pollinators when flowering

• Other Notes: Each plant produces only one fruit at a time, then produces pups ("suckers") for propagation

🌿 Quick Symbols Overview:
☀️ Full Sun | 💧 Moderate Water | ✅ Drought Tolerant | 🪴 Pot-Friendly | ⚠️ Mild Pet Caution | ⚕️ Medicinal Fruit | 🐝 Pollinator Support

Pineapple Plant, Ananas comosus, Tropical Edible Plant, Bromelain Rich Fruit, Pot-Friendly Fruit, Digestive Healing Fruit, Drought Tolerant Tropical, Hospitality Symbol Plant, Antioxidant Rich Food, Exotic Patio Fruit, South Florida Fruit

Pineapple,
Ananas comosus,
Tropical Fruit for South Florida,
Edible Garden Plants,
Container Fruit Trees,
Drought Tolerant Edible Plants,
Digestive Enzyme Fruits,
Bromelain Medicinal Uses,
Fruits with Anti Inflammatory Properties,
Tropical Garden Design Plants,
Hospitality Symbol Plants,
Fruits for Patio Gardens,
Indoor Pineapple Plants,
Fruits High in Vitamin C,
Juicy Edible Landscaping Plants,
Pineapple for Composting,
Pollinator Friendly Edibles,
Pineapple Growing in Pots,
South American Native Fruits,
Pineapple Juice Health Benefits,
Proteolytic Enzyme Fruits,
Tropical Herbal Fruits,
Homegrown Exotic Fruit,
Safe Fruit Plants for Kids,
Warm Weather Fruit Plants

Would you like the next entry to be:

• Jacaranda Tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia)

• Gaillardia (Gaillardia pulchella)

• Or return to any other category (flowering shrubs, herbs, grasses, etc.)?

Let me know and I’ll keep going!