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Variegated Pineapple Ananas comosus 'Variegatus'

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ananas comosus var. variegatus
  • Ananas sativus var. variegatus
Phonetic Spelling
ah-NAH-nas koh-MOH-sus vair-ee-ah-GAY-tus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Variegated pineapple is a native to the tropical Americas. It is a member of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae).

It has striking spiky strap-like variegated leaves. In frost-free locations, it can be grown outdoors as a specimen or accent plant. Otherwise, it needs to be planted in a container and moved indoors for the winter or grown as a houseplant. It does produce an edible fruit, but the fruit lacks the sweet taste of cultivated pineapples grown in optimal conditions.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Pineapple can be affected by wilt and root rot.  Mealybugs, scale, thrips, and nematodes can also be issues.

More information on Ananas comosus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#showy leaves#interiorscape#winter interest#high maintenance#tropical herbaceous perennial#variegated#tropical feel#tropical#container plant#foliage
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#showy leaves#interiorscape#winter interest#high maintenance#tropical herbaceous perennial#variegated#tropical feel#tropical#container plant#foliage
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ananas
    Species:
    comosus
    Family:
    Bromeliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil, Tropical South America
    Edibility:
    Fruits are edible but not particularly tasty.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The inflorescence is fused into a seedless syncarp formed by 100-200 individual spiral flowers to form the fruit. When the fruit is ripe it generates a waxy, tough outer rind made up of hexagonal shaped units that change from green to yellow or slightly brown as it ripens.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are in an erect, tight cluster. Each flower is made up of 3 sepals, 3 petals, 6 stamens typical of monocots.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Prickly
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are grey to green, variegated lengthwise with yellow to white stripes tinged with pinkish-red along the spiny margins. The reddish colors are more pronounced when grown in bright light.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Very small, if any stem. Most leaves emerge directly from the soil.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Children
    Spines/Thorns
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Mild skin irritation from contact with juice; mechanical damage from sharp-pointed, spiny leaves; irritation to the eyes from splashed juice; irritation of mouth, lips, and tongue from ingesting fruit. Throat irritation and strong laxative effect from ingestion of large quantities of RAW pineapple and/or sap from leaves; digestive tract benzoars from excessive consumption of pineapple cores.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Bromelin, ethyl acrylate, and calcium oxalate crystals
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice