How to prune ananas comosus 'variegatus'

Spring through summer; remove spent fruit stalk after harvest or once fruit shrivels. Cut the spent fruit stalk at its base with sterilized shears once the fruit has matured or dried. Remove brown outer leaves by pulling downward or cutting at the base. Separate crown or basal pups when they are one-third to half the size of the mother plant.

Once per fruiting cycle; pup separation as needed. Ananas comosus 'Variegatus' (variegated ornamental pineapple) needs little pruning beyond removing dead or damaged leaves and trimming the spent flower stalk after fruiting. It is monocarpic — the central rosette fruits once then declines while producing pups at the base. Redirect energy by removing the exhausted mother once pups are established.

Cut the spent fruit stalk at its base with sterilized shears once the fruit has matured or dried. Remove brown outer leaves by pulling downward or cutting at the base. Separate crown or basal pups when they are one-third to half the size of the mother plant.