Pineapple

Ananas comosus

Env: Outdoor Pot: Medium

Very easy, drought-tolerant bromeliad; ideal for hot, sunny balconies.

🌞 Light & Temperature

Light: Full sun (6–8+ hours)

Temperature: 24–35°C optimal

Pot: 25–35 L pot (35–45 cm diameter) with gritty, fast-draining mix.

Soil Mix: Gritty mix: 30% coarse sand, 30% perlite, 20% coco chips, 20% compost; pH 5.0–6.0

Schedule: Dry season: 1–2x/week; Rainy season: check drainage

Amount: 1–2 L per watering; keep central cup occasionally moist

Allow top 5 cm to dry; very tolerant of short droughts.

Type: Low-dose balanced feed or organic compost; foliar spray with micronutrients

Frequency: Monthly light feeding

Dosage: 15–25 g/month granular or equivalent liquid; avoid heavy nitrogen

Start: 12–18 months from crown/offset

Seasonality: Year-round in Malaysia; peaks after dry spells

Duration: Fruit matures ~5 months after flowering

Harvest Indicators: Shell turns golden-yellow; strong pineapple aroma; eyes flatten

Tips: Harvest with a bit of stem; wear gloves; fruit does not ripen much off-plant.

Tops (crowns), slips, or suckers; allow cut surfaces to dry 1–2 days before planting.

Mealybugs: Alcohol swab + neem 1% weekly; remove ant nests nearby.
Heart rot: Avoid water collecting in crown during long rains; ensure drainage.

Elevate pots during monsoon; avoid stagnant water in leaf axils.

Leave 2–3 cm gap from pot rim; use heavy pot to prevent toppling.

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Schedules are guidelines—adjust for your microclimate, pot size, and weather. During heavy monsoon rain, reduce watering and improve drainage.