Pineapples grow well in the Mauritian climate, particularly in the drier coastal areas. The "Victoria" pineapple, known for its exceptional sweetness, is a prized Mauritian variety. Plants are low-maintenance once established.

Local names: Zanana, Ananas, Pineapple

Months: September, October, November, December, January, February

Plant crowns or suckers from September to February. Needs warm soil for root establishment.

• Soil type: Well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soil
• pH: 4.5–5.5
• Compost: Mix in compost and coconut coir for moisture retention. Pineapples prefer acidic soil — do not add lime.

• Seed type: Crown from a ripe pineapple or suckers from an existing plant
• Spacing: 30–40 cm between plants, 60–90 cm between rows
• Watering: Moderate watering, once per week. Drought-tolerant once established. Avoid waterlogging.
• Sunlight: Full sun (8+ hours daily)

Organic options:

• Compost
• Fish emulsion
• Epsom salt (magnesium)

Chemical options:

• NPK 10-10-10 every 2 months
• Iron sulphate if leaves yellow

Mealybugs

• Natural remedy: Soapy water spray and ant control (ants farm mealybugs)
• Chemical fallback: Imidacloprid

Pineapple scale

• Natural remedy: Neem oil spray and removal of heavily infested leaves
• Chemical fallback: Diazinon

• Days to maturity: 18–24 months from planting
• Indicators: Fruit turns golden-yellow from the base up. Sweet aroma develops. Leaves pull out easily from the crown.
• Yield tips: Each plant produces one fruit. After harvest, the plant produces suckers that can be replanted for the next crop.

• Duration: 3–5 days at room temperature, 1 week refrigerated
• Temperature: Room temperature to finish ripening, then refrigerate
• Tips: Store upside down for a day to distribute sugars evenly. Cut and freeze for longer storage.