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Conservatory Greenhouse

Ananas comosus var. variegatus (v)

variegated pineapple

An evergreen, terrestrial bromeliad with dense rosettes of dark green, lance-shaped leaves up to 1m long, with a broad cream stripe along each edge, and spiny margins. In summer it produces cone-like clusters of purple flowers, with reddish-yellow bracts, followed by bright red, edible pineapples up to 30cm long

Synonyms

Ananas striatifolius hort.

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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

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

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 21°C

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

Get involved

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