Summary: Ananas comosus (Pineapple) is a plant in the Bromeliaceae family. Verdica documents 44 traditional uses, 169 phytochemical compounds, and 0 herb-drug interactions for this species.
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a succulent, herbaceous, perennial plant. Its leaves are spiky, thick, long, and arranged in spiral forming a rosette of up to 1 m high and 1.5 m wide. It produces two suckers, one is near the base of the stem and the other is near the fruit. The fruit is a multiple fruit formed by 100-200 berries. Pineapple fruit aids in digestion due to its bromelain content. When unripe, the fruit improves digestion, increases appetite, relieves dyspepsia, and relieves discomfort from sore throats. When ripe, the fruit helps in reducing excessive gastric acid. It is also used as a laxative for relieving constipation due to its significant fibre content. The juice from the ripe fruit is diuretic, a digestive tonic, and is used to apply to burns, itches and boils. The leaves are used as treatment for fractures and for easing painful periods. The fruit is edible, either eaten raw, cooked, or preserved. It is sweet, very succulent, and aromatic. The core of the fruit is made into candies. Terminal buds and flowering stem are cooked as a vegetable, added to soups, or eaten raw. Young shoots are eaten in salads or curries. The leaves are also a source of a durable fibre which is white, soft, silky, flexible, and long in staple. In the Philippines, pineapple fibre is used to make pia cloth. The plant cannot withstand waterlogged condition.
| Sunlight | Bright indirect light; some tolerate full sun |
| Watering | Moderate — keep cup/rosette filled with water; mist regularly |
| Soil | Epiphytic mix (bark, perlite); many grow without soil |
| Hardiness Zone | Tropical (USDA 10-12); grow indoors in colder zones |
Explore the full profile of Ananas comosus in the Verdica app — including detailed traditional uses, phytochemical data, care guides, and more.
Open in Verdica →