Are these spots contagious to my other plants?

If the spots are caused by mealybugs, yes, they can spread. Isolate the plant until you are sure the pests are gone.

Should I cut off the spotted leaves?

You can trim off heavily damaged leaves with clean scissors. If the spots are minor, you can leave them alone.

Pineapple: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Look closely at the leaf axils for white cottony fluff.
Check if the leaves have been getting wet during watering.
Inspect the spots to see if they are spreading.

Likely causes

Mealybugs
Most likely
How to tell: You will see small, white, cottony clusters hiding in the leaf axils. These pests suck sap and leave behind discolored or spotted areas.
What to do: Dab the white spots with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill the bugs. Repeat this every 5 to 7 days until you see no more signs of them.
Fungal leaf spot
Possible
How to tell: Small brown or black spots appear on the leaves, often with a yellow halo. This is usually caused by water sitting on the leaves for too long.
What to do: Avoid overhead watering and keep the foliage dry. Improve air circulation around the plant to help the leaves stay moisture free.

Find out what's wrong with your pineapple

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly or if the plant looks generally weak. A few small marks are often just cosmetic damage from handling.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the leaves dry when watering and inspect the plant regularly for pests. Good airflow is your best defense against fungal issues.

Keep your pineapple healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Are these spots contagious to my other plants?: If the spots are caused by mealybugs, yes, they can spread. Isolate the plant until you are sure the pests are gone.
Should I cut off the spotted leaves?: You can trim off heavily damaged leaves with clean scissors. If the spots are minor, you can leave them alone.

Why are there spots on my pineapple plant leaves?