The great indoors
Jess Snowball shares the joy of keeping and propagating ornamental pineapples
The pineapple, which belongs to the genus Ananas, is probably the best-known member of the Bromeliad family. It was first introduced into the UK in the 18th century, although at the time the expense of importing the plants combined with the costs involved in building and maintaining the specialised hothouses, known as pineries, in which they were grown was so prohibitive, they were a luxury few could afford. Thankfully, today pineapples are readily available to those of more modest means, with several ornamental pineapples commonly grown as houseplants.
Unlike most bromeliads, which are epiphytic (meaning they grow on the trunks and branches of trees) Ananas are terrestrial plants that grow in the sandy soils of the Amazon rainforest and coastal regions of Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest. As a result their root systems are more extensive than those of most bromeliads, which are used mainly for support rather than the uptake of nutrients. In common with other bromeliads however, they also have trichomes (tiny hairs) on their leaves that capture nutrients from within the air and a rosette of leaves in the shape of a funnel, which acts as a miniature water tank, trapping and storing rainwater, allowing them to survive short periods of drought.
The most commonly available species is Ananas comosus, a tropical herbaceous perennial, with long, narrow, sword-like, grey-green leaves that are arranged spirally to form a rosette. One of my favourite cultivars is ‘Pacifico’, a wonderful reddish plant with a small, rose-red inflorescence, that becomes the fruit part of the plant, and a grey-purple crown that matches the colour of the foliage.
Pineapples are generally reliable and adaptable houseplants – my own has thrived in different rooms with a range of light sources, temperatures and humidity levels – that are surprisingly resistant to pest and diseases.
Bromeliads can be prone to rotting if planted too deeply, but thanks to their more extensive root systems, this is less of a problem with Ananas comosus. However, as a precaution, take extra care when potting that you plant exactly up to the base of the leaves and no deeper – and choose a pot that has adequate drainage. Pineapples are hungry plants that need a potting mix that includes plenty of organic compost (60 per cent), with added sand, grit loam and bark (40 per cent). They’re best grown on a windowsill in bright but indirect sunlight and high humidity. Feed fortnightly throughout summer with a high-potassium feed, and reduce this to monthly, half-strength feed in winter. Pineapples are easy to propagate as they produce genetically identical offsets or ‘pups’ to replace the parent plant. These pups emerge from the base of the parent plant and grow in situ to adult size, but once they have become well established they can be easily removed and grown on. Using secateurs, make a clean, downwards cut on the stem where the pup joins to the parent. Gently tease out the propagule’s roots and separate them. Plant the pup in a growing medium that is three parts bark to one part general potting mix, such as John Innes No.2, and one part grit. Make sure the pot is appropriate for the size of the root system, allowing a little extra room for growth. Water in well and again whenever the soil feels dry. You can also propagate a pineapple plant from any shop-bought fruit, simply by slicing through the crown of the fruit. Use a clean, sharp knife to remove the green crown from the top of the fruit, and place in a jar of water. Roots will emerge in four to six weeks at the base. You’ll need to change the water regularly before the roots appear.
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Jess Snowball is glasshouse manager at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London.