Pineapple tomato: varieties, cultivation & care

Regina

I studied horticultural sciences at university and in my free time you can find me in my own patch of land, growing anything with roots. I am particularly passionate about self-sufficiency and seasonal food.

Favourite fruit: quince, cornelian cherry and blueberries
Favourite vegetables: peas, tomatoes and garlic

The unusually named ‘Pineapple’ tomato has become increasingly popular over the years. Here is a closer look at the ‘Pineapple’ tomato, with expert tips on caring for and harvesting this colourful fruit!

two pineapple tomatoes — The ‘Pineapple’ tomato is a unique yet classic addition to the garden [Photo: photosimysia/ Shutterstock.com]

The ‘Pineapple’ tomato is an all-time favourite among heirloom tomato fans. Here is everything you need to know about this traditional, unique tomato.

Contents

‘Pineapple’ tomato: profile
Origin and history
‘Pineapple’ tomato: taste and characteristics
‘Pineapple’ tomato varieties
- Black and blue ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes
- Yellow and green varieties
Growing ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes
Harvesting and using ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes

‘Pineapple’ tomato: profile

Fruit	Beef tomato; various colours
Flavour	Fruity, sweet, pineapple flavour
Ripening time	Late
Growth	Indeterminate, up to 180cm in height
Location	Greenhouse

Origin and history

The ‘Pineapple’ tomato is said to have originated in Kentucky, before it was introduced to Europe in the 1950s. Since then, it has become a favourite across the globe. What is more, the ‘Pineapple’ tomato plant is an heirloom, open-pollinated variety, which means you can harvest its seeds each year and sow them anew each season.

‘Pineapple’ tomato: taste and characteristics

‘Pineapple’ tomatoes are beefsteak: the largest kind. They are wide and round, with outer ribbing that somewhat resembles a real pineapple. The fruit tends to ripen from early August, when it becomes very soft. This is the best time to enjoy the fruit.

If you can’t wait until August, don’t worry. Unripe ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes are still tasty, and, in fact, they keep longer.

‘Pineapple’ tomatoes are incredibly heavy, in some cases weighing in at over a kilogram! They tend to be very fruity, with a mildly sweet, citrussy twist. The dark and green varieties are also refreshingly acidic. Even better, ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes contain very few seeds.

‘Pineapple’ tomato varieties

The ‘Pineapple’ tomato comes in a variety of colours: yellow-orange, dark shades of blue and black, and even green. Here are some of the most popular varieties:

Black and blue ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes

There are two black and blue ‘Pineapple’ tomato varieties: ‘Ananas Noire’ and ‘Ananas Bleue’. As it ripens, the ‘Ananas Noire’ tomato turns dark red to pink-brown, though its top remains olive-green. If cut crosswise, ‘Ananas Noire’ displays a spectacular array of colours, with shades of pink, yellow, orange, brown, and green.

hanging tomato cluster — Black and blue tomato varieties will only begin to darken in colour as they ripen [Photo: CamN/ Shutterstock.com]

‘Ananas Bleue’, a rare blue tomato variety, also displays a wide range of colours. When ripe, it is a deep yellow orange, which, with enough sunlight, melds to violet at the top. Also known as the ‘Blue Pineapple’, ‘Ananas Bleue’ is a particularly decorative tomato plant, with blue-purple leaves and stems.

Yellow and green varieties

The most popular yellow ‘Pineapple’ tomato variety is the ‘Hawaiian Pineapple’. It tastes most like pineapple (in comparison to all the other varieties!), and, when ripe, becomes a kaleidoscopic yellow, orange and light red.

The ‘Green Pineapple’ tomato, meanwhile, remains green while ripe, as its flesh becomes highly aromatic, tender, and soft.

yellow tomatoes — Yellow tomatoes can weigh up to one kilogram [Photo: DGSHUT/ Shutterstock.com]

Growing ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes

‘Pineapple’ tomatoes need heat. In fact, without sufficient warmth and protection, they will not produce a high yield. As such, ‘Pineapple’ tomato plants are best grown in a greenhouse, where they will reach 160 to 180cm tall and should be staked for support. It is also important that your ‘Pineapple’ tomato plant grows with only one shoot. Regularly remove all other shoots.

‘Pineapple’ tomatoes are not particularly suited to outdoor cultivation. They are not as robust and disease resistant as other tomato varieties, so if you do opt to grow ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes outdoors, try to find a sunny location with adequate protection from the rain, and grow them in a container.

Tip: Our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost is ideal for growing tomatoes in pots. The soil is peat-free and specifically adapted to the needs of tomatoes and other vegetable plants.