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How to Grow Pineapple Tomatoes & Harvest

Pineapple tomatoes are less acidic than other tomato varieties and have a sweeter flavor. These tomatoes can weigh between 1 and 2 pounds (450 to 900 grams), which makes them excellent for making sandwiches. Continue reading to learn how to grow pineapple tomatoes step by step.

Growing pineapple tomatoes is very similar to other varieties of tomatoes, the most important thing when growing pineapple tomatoes is to use certified quality seeds to obtain the best germination rate and quality tomatoes. In the following paragraphs, I will explain all the steps to follow to obtain quality pineapple tomatoes.

How to Grow Pineapple Tomatoes Step by Step        

How to Grow Pineapple Tomatoes? To harvest quality pineapple tomatoes, you must first get certified pineapple tomato seeds, which will ensure quality tomatoes. Once you have pineapple tomato seeds you should plant them in seedlings indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Check a frost calendar to know when the last frost is in your region.

To facilitate the germination of pineapple tomato seeds, it is recommended to maintain a temperature between 70 and 75 °F (21 to 24 °C) and ensure sufficient lighting through a sunny window or under a growth lamp. In addition, it is essential to keep the soil moist and ensure adequate drainage.

Once the pineapple tomato seedlings have a couple of leaves and the risk of frost has passed you can transplant the seedlings outdoors. Make sure the soil temperature is at least 70 °F (21 °C). Tomato plants do not tolerate cold temperatures very well. Pineapple tomatoes need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to develop properly. 

Pineapple tomatoes need nutrient-rich, well-drained soils. The soil should be kept moist but never waterlogged. Use mulch to promote moisture retention and prevent weed growth. During the fruit development stage, provide tomato fertilizer for big and healthy tomatoes.

Growing pineapple tomatoes is not a difficult task, but you must make sure that the substrate has good drainage. One pineapple tomato plant can give up to 25 tomatoes! The recommended USDA Hardiness zones for pineapple tomatoes are zones 3-11.

how to grow pineapples tomatoes
How to Grow Pineapple Tomatoes? When the pineapple tomato seedlings have some leaves (as in the picture) you can transplant them.

Growing Pineapple Tomato in Pot

How to Grow Pineapple Tomato in Pot? Pineapple tomato plants can also be grown in pots. The process for growing pineapple tomato plants in pots is similar to the one mentioned above. Plant tomato seeds 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost indoors. Once the pineapple tomato seedlings have several leaves you can repot them into a large pot.

The ideal for each pineapple tomato plant is to use a pot of at least 20 gallons. You can use 20-gallon or larger grow bags. The larger the pot size will ensure that the plant will develop properly and be able to provide adequate fruit. Plant one pineapple tomato seedling per pot to ensure proper growth.

The substrate must be rich in organic matter and have good drainage. Make sure the pot has enough drainage holes to prevent root rot. Potted tomato plants need more watering than those planted in the ground, but you should never overwater them. By following the above steps, you will be able to grow pineapple tomatoes in pots correctly.

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  • Excellent Drainage - The woven design provide good drainage and allow your roots to breath which results in both faster growth and greater plant vigor. P.S. In the hot summer sun, the plants need watering every day.

Pests And Diseases of Pineapple Tomatoes

Nematodes and cutworms are the most common pests affecting pineapple tomatoes. Nematodes are present in the orchard soil and can be eliminated by planting marigolds around the tomato plants, which naturally repel them. The University of North Carolina mentions different methods to get rid of nematodes.

Cutworms live up to their name by cutting plant stems. In case you observe any symptoms of this damage in your tomato plants, it is recommended to use diatomaceous earth. I recommend you read our article on how to use diatomaceous earth.

Gray mold can develop on the foliage of Pineapple Tomato plants, which appears as patches of gray or brown mold. This occurs due to improper watering when the foliage becomes wet. To prevent this, it is advisable to water the tomatoes from their base. Fungicides can be used to eliminate the fungus as well.

How Tall Do Pineapple Tomato Plants Grow

Pineapple tomatoes are a type of tomato that grows tall and wide, reaching a height of 6 to 8 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m) and spreading out 18” to 24” (45 to 61 cm) in the late season. They are indeterminate and require staking and tying. These plants produce large beefsteak tomatoes that can grow up to 5” to 6” (13-15 cm) wide and weigh between 1 and 2 pounds (450 to 900 grams). The fruit is yellow with red marbling throughout the flesh and has a very sweet and fruity flavor.

Because pineapple tomato plants grow very tall and wide, it is recommended to leave space between each plant. It is very important to use staking on the tomato plants so that they develop properly. It is also important to prune the tomato plant to remove the leaves that are not useful. I recommend you read our article on how to prune tomato plants. 

how tall do pineapple tomato plants grow
How Tall Do Pineapple Tomato Plants Grow? Pineapple tomato plants can grow quite large, so it is important to use staking.

When Should I Harvest Pineapple Tomato

Normally after 90 to 100 days of planting pineapple tomato plants, the fruits will be ready to be harvested. Of course, the number of days of fruit ripening will also depend on the climatic conditions through which the plant has passed. Tomatoes will not ripen at the same time on a plant that has received all the necessary care as on a plant that, for example, has not received enough water.

When to harvest pineapple tomato? Also, by observing the color of the tomato you can tell if the pineapple tomatoes are ripe. When the pineapple tomatoes are ripe, their color will be a vibrant yellow with red marbling. You can determine if they are ready to harvest by gently touching the fruit and checking for slight softness.

Final Conclusions

Growing pineapple tomatoes is not difficult at all and the best thing is that you can also grow pineapple tomatoes in pots. Using quality seeds, you will get tasty and gigantic pineapple tomatoes after a while.

I hope this article will be of great help and that you will be able to grow pineapple tomatoes and enjoy their fruits in the coming months. To prevent certain pests and diseases of tomatoes I recommend you read our article about how to use neem oil on tomato plants.

About Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan is an agronomist horticulture founder of The Garden Style Company and The Garden Style Website. He previously worked for Mondelēz International as an Agronomist Engineer specializing in agricultural products management in highly populated areas. In 2000, Henry started working with farmer-producers in agricultural businesses selling wholesale fresh produce and retail plants in Van Buren, Arkansas. Nowadays, Henry lives in California, where he offers expert consulting services for organic vegetable gardening. As a science writer working with his wife, Julia, Henry shares his passion for gardening and farming, trying to reach and teach as many folks as possible.

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