Pineapple
Solanum lycopersicum 'Pineapple'
This stunning bicolor heirloom creates a tropical sunset on your plate with yellow fruits streaked with red and pink, living up to its name with a sweet, fruity flavor that's absolutely unique among tomatoes. Originally from Kentucky, these massive beefsteak beauties are conversation starters that taste as exotic as they look. They're perfect for gardeners who want to grow something truly special that guests will remember long after the meal.
Harvest
85-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Pineapple in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 tomato →Zone Map
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Pineapple · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | August – October |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | June – August |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store ripe Pineapple tomatoes at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain optimal flavor and texture. Refrigeration dulls their distinctive sweet, fruity taste, so only refrigerate fully ripe fruits you can't use immediately – they'll keep 7-10 days in the crisper drawer.
For preservation, their low acidity and sweet flavor make them excellent candidates for freezing whole or in chunks for winter soups and stews. Simply core, blanch for 30 seconds, and freeze in portions. Their unique appearance also makes them spectacular when dried – slice thick and dehydrate for colorful, sweet tomato leather.
Due to their low acidity, avoid water-bath canning unless you add citric acid or lemon juice according to tested recipes. However, their exceptional sweetness creates outstanding tomato jam or chutney when combined with vinegar and spices. Fermenting green Pineapple tomatoes also produces remarkable pickles with complex umami flavors that highlight their tropical undertones.
History & Origin
The Pineapple tomato traces its roots to Kentucky in the early 1900s, though its exact origins remain somewhat mysterious among heirloom enthusiasts. Some sources suggest it was developed by a German immigrant family, while others credit its creation to local Kentucky farmers who selected for its distinctive appearance and exceptional sweetness.
What's certain is that this variety gained prominence through seed swaps and local gardening communities throughout Appalachia before commercial seed companies began offering it in the 1980s. The name derives from both its tropical appearance – with golden yellow skin streaked with red and pink resembling a sunset – and its remarkably sweet, fruity flavor that reminded early growers of pineapple's tropical sweetness.
Unlike many modern hybrids bred for shipping and shelf life, Pineapple tomatoes represent the heirloom tradition of selecting for flavor above all else. Its popularity has surged among home gardeners seeking unique varieties that offer both visual appeal and exceptional taste, making it a staple at farmers' markets and specialty restaurants celebrating heirloom varieties.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms while potentially improving tomato flavor
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, whiteflies, and other harmful insects
Carrots
Help break up soil and don't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Chives
Repel aphids and may improve tomato growth and flavor
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and utilizes space efficiently without competing
Peppers
Share similar growing requirements and pest management needs
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete for nutrients and may stunt tomato growth
Corn
Both attract corn earworm/tomato hornworm, increasing pest pressure
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168171)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Limited disease resistance, prone to cracking in wet conditions
Common Pests
Tomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, stink bugs
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, cracking, blossom end rot, fusarium wilt