When to Plant Pineapple in Perth, Mediterranean Guide
What this month normally looks like in Mediterranean
In October the Mediterranean zone normally runs 22°C by day and 10°C overnight, with about 38 mm of rain over 6 or 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 19 postcodes, SILO.
Jump to section
This Pineapple guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Nov to Mar
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 4.5–5.5
A bromeliad, not a tree or even a bush. Grows as a rosette of spiky leaves at ground level and produces a single fruit on a central stalk.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Mediterranean
- Jan P
- Feb P
- Mar P
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
Pineapples will fruit in warm, sunny Perth spots or large pots, but slowly, taking two to three years from a crown. Adelaide is too cool.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Mediterranean zone right now, Pineapple included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Pineapple in Mediterranean Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, sandy or sandy loam. Acidic. Pineapples CANNOT tolerate waterlogged soil. Root rot is rapid.
- Salt
- Moderately tolerant. Handles slightly salty water better than most veggies.
- pH Range
- 4.5-5.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Maximum heat. North-facing position in marginal zones.
- Good companions
- Coconut
- Keep away from
- Waterlogged areas
Mediterranean Growing Tips for Pineapple
Recommended Varieties
- Queen
Key Challenges
- Winter cold
- Slow growth
Pro Tips
- Marginal in Perth. Not viable in Adelaide.
Pests and problems for Pineapple in Mediterranean
Harvesting Pineapple
When ready: Shell colour changes from green to yellow-gold (starting at base). Sweet aroma develops. Pull a central leaf. If it detaches easily, fruit is ready. Thump test. Sounds dull when ripe, hollow when unripe.
How to harvest: Cut stem below fruit with sharp knife. Can cut with attached slip for propagation.
Storing and preserving pineapple
How to keep it
- Freezing. Peel, core, chunk. Freeze on trays then bag. Keeps: 12 months.
- Dehydrating. Slice into rings or chunks. Dehydrate at 55°C for 12-16 hours. Keeps: 12 months.
- Canning in syrup. Pack chunks in light syrup. Water bath 20 minutes. Keeps: 12 months.
- Pineapple vinegar (tepache). Ferment peel and core with sugar and water for 3-5 days. Strain. Keeps: 2 weeks refrigerated.
What pineapple costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Pineapple
When do you plant pineapple in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Sep to Nov
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Feb, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Oct to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): not recommended
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan to Mar, Nov to Dec
When should I plant Pineapple in Perth?
Pineapples will fruit in warm, sunny Perth spots or large pots, but slowly, taking two to three years from a crown. Adelaide is too cool.
How do I know when Pineapple are ready to harvest?
Shell colour changes from green to yellow-gold (starting at base). Sweet aroma develops. Pull a central leaf. If it detaches easily, fruit is ready. Thump test. Sounds dull when ripe, hollow when unripe.
What are the best Pineapple varieties for Perth?
Recommended varieties for the Mediterranean zone include: Queen.
What grows well with Pineapple?
Good companion plants for Pineapple include: Coconut.
Are pineapple salt tolerant?
Fairly. Pineapple are moderately tolerant of salt and handle slightly salty water better than most veggies.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.