Pineapple

Pineapple is a very rewarding plant to grow, mostly due to the fruit however it makes lots of baby pineapple plants also. (named pups) Here is a quick guide to growing the pokey bromeliads. Most bromeliads want shade, however pineapple wants sun to fruit, it will do great in shade, it just won't fruit readily. And we all know we want this plant for it's delicious sugary fruit! A pineapple plant is only going to make one pineapple, so remember to plant a few! It gets rather large depending on variety, think five feet by five feet. There are pink pineapples, baby pineapples, yellow, white and many more varieties. A great place to start is Exotica nursery in Vista if you're looking to buy one. These plants want high water especially for fruiting, these are tropical plants and we can't really overwater them in San Diego. The entire plant contains a protein-digesting enzyme called bromelain, and I have witnessed rabbits and other small animals eating bromeliads for the enzyme's benefits. From my studies it seems that the rabbits were clearing hairballs in their throats but I never got the chance to ask, they always hopped away. Please read this article for more information on bromelain.