Pineapple Ginger Plant Care

Pineapple Ginger (Tapeinochilos ananassae) belongs to the Costaceae family within the Tapeinochilos genus. Pineapple Ginger is native to New Guinea, the Indonesian province of Maluku, and the Australian state of Queensland. Pineapple Ginger is also known as Red Pinecone Ginger.

Pineapple Ginger displays a clumping, upright habit growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Pineapple Ginger produces showy bracts in red, pink, or orange with small white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pineapple Ginger every 5–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Pineapple Ginger thrives in filtered sunlight to partial shade. Avoid placing Pineapple Ginger in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Tapeinochilos ananassae tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Pineapple Ginger prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Pineapple Ginger to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pineapple Ginger every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with filtered sunlight to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pineapple Ginger is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Pineapple Ginger can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Pineapple Ginger while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Pineapple Ginger is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Pineapple Ginger can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds.

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Pineapple Ginger is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Pineapple Ginger grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Pineapple Ginger is native to New Guinea, the Indonesian province of Maluku, and the Australian state of Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Pineapple Ginger as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.