Pineapples grow on the ground, not on trees, and are mainly distributed in tropical regions.

The pineapple is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Ananas of the family Bromeliaceae. Many people assume it grows on trees like apples and pears, but in fact the pineapple grows on the ground at the center of the plant. The pineapple plant is relatively short, with slender, sword-shaped leaves that gather layer upon layer into a rosette, and the fruit develops from the tip of the flower stalk in the middle of the leaf rosette, so it looks as if it grows straight out of the ground.

Pineapples prefer a warm, humid climate and are afraid of cold and frost, so they are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. When planting pineapples, sandy soil or red soil with ample sunlight and good drainage is generally chosen; ample sunlight helps the fruit accumulate sugars, making the flesh sweeter and the flavor better.

Within the country, the main pineapple-producing areas include Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Yunnan and Taiwan, China, among others, with the Guangdong and Hainan areas having a relatively large planting scale and being the main source of pineapples on the market. Abroad, Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and the Philippines are also important pineapple-producing areas, as their local climate conditions are very suitable for pineapple growth.

Understanding where pineapples grow is also helpful for cultivation. Pineapples are mostly planted by asexual propagation methods such as crown slips and suckers, and after planting they usually require a relatively long period of cultivation before bearing fruit; after harvest, new shoots still sprout from the base of the plant and can be kept for continued propagation. Precisely because the plant is compact and distinctive in shape, pineapples are also often grown as potted plants and placed in the home, offering both edible and ornamental value.