Pineapple Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum 'Pineapple'

vegetable

A spectacular giant heirloom beefsteak with massive 1 to 2-pound fruits featuring marbled yellow-and-red flesh. The color pattern and tropical-sweet, low-acid flavor resemble the fruit it is named for. One of the most visually impressive slicing tomatoes, and among the most rewarding heirlooms for flavor despite its slow ripening time.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Basil — Deters aphids and whiteflies
• Carrot — Aerates soil near tomato roots
• French Marigold — Suppresses nematodes in the root zone
• Borage — Attracts bees and parasitic wasps; said to deter tomato hornworm

❌ Keep away from

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Tomato hornworm →

  Hand-pick at dusk; spray with Bt at early caterpillar stage

• Late blight →

  Ensure good airflow; avoid overhead watering; copper spray at first sign of brown spots

• Aphids →

  Reflective silver mulch; water spray; insecticidal soap

• Cracking →

  Even soil moisture with deep mulch; harvest promptly at first sign of ripeness

🌾 Harvest & storage

Harvest when the marbled yellow-and-red flesh pattern is fully developed and the bottom of the fruit feels soft when gently squeezed. Do not wait for full uniform color — the top may remain greenish-yellow when ripe. Slice immediately before serving to reveal the interior pattern.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

High in vitamins A and C, lycopene, and potassium. Bicolor flesh indicates the presence of both lycopene (red) and zeaxanthin (yellow). Very low acidity compared to most heirloom tomatoes.

⚠️ Toxicity & safety

Eat the ripe fruit only. Tomato leaves and stems (and large amounts of very unripe green fruit) contain solanine-type compounds and are not for eating.