Sugarloaf Pineapple Plant for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide
- Ships in 1-2 days
- 1-Year Warranty Eligible
- Pots or accessories are not included unless specified in the product options.
Shipping Details:
Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number and estimated delivery date. Most orders ship immediately, but some items are seasonal and may only ship in spring or fall. These products are noted on the website.
The Florida special sugarloaf pineapple plant — Ananas comosus ‘Florida Special’ — is easy to recognize and even easier to grow. This herbaceous perennial is a tropical plant that belongs to the bromeliad family. The sweet fruit makes this a favorite variety for home gardeners everywhere. Other reasons to choose Florida special sugarloaf pineapple plants include:
- Sugarloaf pineapples have thin skin and a completely edible core.
- Florida special pineapples require very little maintenance once established.
- It is easy to propagate new pineapples from your own pineapple plants.
Plant Care
Sunlight
Your sugarloaf pineapple grows best when it receives full sun, 6 hours or more of direct light a day.
Watering
Water about once a week, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizing
Fertilize lightly several times during the growing season by way of a foliar feeding.
Planting instructions
Sugarloaf pineapple plants thrive outdoors year-round in tropical regions of the United States. When treated as a patio or potted plant, it can also be grown in more northern areas. Just be sure to bring it in during the cooler months. Most sugarloaf pineapple plants are started in a greenhouse or nursery. Acclimate your plant to its planting or potted placement site over a week or two. The plant’s leaves can suffer burns if it isn’t ready for full sun. If planting in the ground, choose a spot with full sun in well-draining soil. These plants detest wet feet and will not tolerate muddy, clay-type soils. If necessary, amend your soil with perlite, sand, or another soil-lightening medium.
Watering and nutrients
Be careful not to overwater your pineapple plant. This is especially important if you are using a drip system. Allow the soil to become dry between waterings, whether your plant is in the ground or a container. Water deeply without soaking the plant. During the winter, weekly waterings should be enough. Florida special sugarloaf pineapple plants take in nutrients through their leaves, not their roots. Provide your pineapple plant a foliar feeding approximately once per month. Use a fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants such as azaleas.
Pollination
Sugarloaf pineapple plants are unable to self-fertilize. They need cross-pollination with another pineapple plant to produce seed. Hummingbirds are the primary pollinator of most pineapple plants.
Pruning
Pruning your Florida special sugarloaf pineapple plant is not necessary but trimming your plant’s dead leaves keeps the pineapple plant looking neat and tidy. If your plant has fruit on it, it is a good idea to wait for about a month or two after harvest to do the trimming.
Pests and animals
Some pests that your pineapple plant may have to fight include ants, mealy bugs, and nematodes in the soil. Some rodents may also decide to taste your sweet pineapple, so keep an eye on the area and keep it free of debris.
Harvesting
You know it’s harvest time when the fruit’s outer skin turns a yellowish color while the flesh has more of an orange-yellow tint. Allowing the fruit to ripen on the plant is the best practice. Once picked, the flesh won’t get any sweeter, even though the outer skin will continue to change color as it ripens. Another good rule of thumb is that a ripe pineapple is heavier than an unripe one due to the higher sugar content.
FAQs
How long does it take for a pineapple plant to bear fruit?
On average, expect your new plant to take two to three years to produce its first pineapple. After that first fruit, the plant grows one pineapple per year. Most pineapple plants produce for approximately seven years.
What causes my Florida special sugarloaf pineapple leaves to turn yellow?
Yellow leaves are often the first sign that your plant is getting too much water. Pineapple plants don’t like soggy roots or wet conditions. If your leaves are changing color, check your plant’s root system to ensure it isn’t suffering from rot. A bout of frost can also damage your leaves, causing them to turn yellow or brown on the tips. The plant can rebound, but it is good to protect it from any frost or ice.
Why won’t my pineapple plant grow?
The most common issue that home gardeners face is overwatering. Feeding the plant at only the root level and not via the leaves makes for an unhappy pineapple plant. Two other easily correctable problems are lack of full sun and the grower’s impatience. Your plant is slow-growing for the first two years. Then it will take off and reward you with juicy pineapples for the next seven years or more.
How do I care for my Florida special sugarloaf pineapple plant in winter?
Any freezing temperatures that dip below 28 degrees Fahrenheit can kill your pineapple plant. Even cooler weather below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can slow the plant’s growth. During the winter, bring your plant inside. In warmer zones, you will need to check your in-ground plants. Make sure they are still receiving adequate water during the winter months.
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Customer Reviews
Sugarloaf PineappleI am giving it five stars because it arrived in great condition and the leaves perked up after i watered it. Unfortunately my four year old actually knocked it over and stepped on it. I will order another sometime in the future.
Pineapple plantIt came with a tiny but almost ripe pineapple on it! Within two days it was completely orange so I cut it. Though it was only softball size it was delicious. Some of the foliage did get dry and brown over the course of 2 to 3 days but he's doing great after about a week and a half. The instructions said due to being shipped in a dark spot without like this will happen. All things well now and I love it!
Mature height |
3-6 ft. |
Mature width |
3-6 ft. |
Sunlight requirement |
Full Sun |
Growth rate |
Moderate |
Botanical name |
Ananas comosus 'Florida Special' |
Shipping exclusions |
AZ |
Grows Well In Zones |
4-11 patio / 9-11 outdoors |
Growing Zones: 4-11 patio / 9-11 outdoors i Growing zones help determine if a particular plant is likely to grow well in a location. It identifies the average annual minimum winter temperatures across the U.S. provided as a map by the USDA.
(hardy down to -10°F)- Ships in 1-2 days
- 1-Year Warranty Eligible
- Pots or accessories are not included unless specified in the product options.