Mexican Pineapple 'Pinuela'

This Bromeliad grows in the soil (many relatives grow in trees) and reaches up to 3 m in height in nature. The juicy, light-purple fruits (first remove the thorns) are traditionally used to prepare a delicious, refreshing drink called "Atol de Pina" and are highly valued for their attractive, sweet and sour taste. As the plant gets older, these coveted fruits can grow from the pink-purple flowers with a whitish base. The plant forms rosettes of upright, lance-shaped leaves with sharp thorns along the edges, bright green on top and grey-green underneath. As the plant ages, the leaves closer to the center of the rosette change color to red, while the outer leaves remain green.
This tropical plant is related to the Pineapple and originally grows in Central America. In Northern Europe, you can therefore place it outdoors in summer and as a houseplant in winter or in a cooler spot, but not below 10°C.

Names:
Latin: Bromelia karatas
Dutch: Mexicaanse Ananas
English: Mexican Pineapple