I have always found pineapples to be among the most rewarding fruit to grow in Central Florida. Given a sunny, high-and-dry location, they seem pretty accepting of soil type and even neglect. If starting new plants from the tops of store-bought pineapples, you’ll have to wait 18 months/two years for the first pineapple to form and ripen. After that, as the plants form new slips and begin to spread, you’ll have fresh fruit to pick each summer.
The wait will be shorter with plants from fruit nurseries, depending on the maturity of the plants purchased. Popular varieties include sugarloaf, white jade, smooth cayenne, elite, Florida special and variegated.
The Developing Pineapple in Pictures
UF IFAS Link: Growing Pineapples
Planting Notes
Pineapples can be grown either in large pots or in the ground. Unsure if your yard is subject to flooding? Keep the pineapple plants in containers. They will do fine in any potting mix with good drainage. I suggest 7-gallon containers.
The plants need good drainage, and they need room to reach their full potential. If nematodes are a problem in your garden, container planting is probably the best idea.
I have kept my pineapples in containers, since moving. This gives me time to become better acquainted with the new landscape, before selecting the best location to plant. I’m glad I made this choice. The potted plants went into the shed during our freezes last January.
If planting in the ground, select a sunny area that is not likely to flood or become saturated with rain. I find it best to plant near the house, to reduce the chance of nearly-ripe fruit walking away.
When squirrels or raccoons are harassing the garden, some gardeners pick pineapples a little early. This may be necessary, or maybe some type of cage could be erected around the plants. The reward for leaving the fruit until fully ripe is exquisitely sweet and juicy flavor.
