FruitMelon
Ananas Melon
Ananas Melon is a French heirloom that brings old-world charm and reliable heat tolerance to your garden. These open-pollinated, non-GMO vines produce remarkably uniform fruits weighing 4.5 to 5.5 pounds, with distinctive yellow-orange netted rinds that mature from white to golden flesh. From seed to harvest takes 100-109 days, and the vines thrive across hardiness zones 2-13 in full sun. Easy to grow in garden plots, raised beds, or even greenhouses, Ananas Melon rewards gardeners with sweet, juicy melons that taste as good as they look.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
15 in
Height
TypeVining
Spacing
36
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
15in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The name itself tells the story: ananas is the Spanish and Portuguese word for pineapple, and this melon's yellow-orange netted skin and aromatic sweetness earn the comparison. French growers developed this variety specifically for heat tolerance and reliable production, making it far easier to cultivate than finicky specialty melons. Maturity happens consistently in about 100 days, giving home gardeners a genuine shot at a full crop even in shorter growing seasons. The flesh transitions from white to yellow as it ripens, giving you a clear visual cue that these are ready to pick.
Common Uses
Ananas Melon is grown for fresh eating, where the soft, juicy flesh and natural sweetness shine. Slice it open and eat it raw at peak ripeness, or chill wedges for dessert on hot summer days. The melons work well in fruit platters and pair naturally with cured meats in European-style meals, reflecting their French heritage.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds into warm soil after the last frost date has passed. These melons grow vigorously from seed and prefer to be sown where they'll grow rather than transplanted.
Harvesting
Melons are ready to pick when the netting on the skin becomes pronounced and the color shifts from pale yellow-orange to a deeper, richer yellow-orange. The flesh beneath the netting should yield slightly to gentle pressure. A mature Ananas Melon typically weighs 4.5 to 5.5 pounds and will have a sweet, musky fragrance at the blossom end. Harvest by cutting the stem with a sharp knife rather than pulling; the fruit should release with minimal force when fully ripe.
Pruning
Ananas Melon's vining growth habit benefits from light pruning to manage sprawl and improve air circulation, which helps prevent disease. Pinch back the main vine once it reaches desired length, and remove any lateral shoots that crowd the canopy. Focus pruning efforts on improving air flow around developing fruits rather than aggressive heading back.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucumis melo
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“The Ananas Melon traces its lineage to France, where it was developed and refined by growers who valued heat tolerance and consistent productivity. As an open-pollinated, heirloom cultivar, it represents the kind of variety that home gardeners and seed savers have preserved and shared for generations, passing seeds forward because the melons are genuinely worth the space in the garden. This is not a modern hybrid designed for commercial shipping; it's a survivor that has proven itself across decades and continents.”