How to grow Pineapple in Australia
Grow in full sun in light, free draining soil that never stays soggy. Water moderately and let the top dry between drinks, as the plant stores moisture in its leaves.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 7 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- Time to harvest: 540 days (about 1 year)
- Time to germinate: 1 days
- Soil pH: 4.5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | Coastal gardens, or a pot you can move under cover. Light frost in the hinterland and Lismore basin damages pineapples. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Marginal tropical; grows in Sydney if full sun; 2-year fruiting; smaller fruit than QLD. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Tropical; frost kills plants. Melbourne unsuitable. Needs 18°C min year-round; winter lethal. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Mediterranean: unsuitable. Pineapple tropical; requires year-round warmth. Not viable Adelaide/Perth. |
| Perth & WA | Not suited | Mediterranean: unsuitable. Pineapple tropical; requires year-round warmth. Not viable Adelaide/Perth. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs year-round warmth. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not viable outdoors. Tropical; cannot survive Canberra winters even with protection. |
| North Queensland | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Pineapple is tropical staple. Thrives in heat; crops year-round in north. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Pineapple is tropical staple. Thrives in heat; crops year-round in north. |
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Ready when the skin turns gold from the base up and it smells sweet and fragrant. Twist or cut the fruit off at the stalk; it does not ripen further once picked.
Storage
Bench for 2 to 3 days once ripe, fridge for up to 1 week cut.