Pineapples grow in a natural spiral pattern that follows the Fibonacci sequence, with their hexagonal scales arranged in sets of consecutive numbers.

The Fibonacci sequence is a mathematical series where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on. In pineapples, the hexagonal scales (called fruitlets) create three distinct sets of spirals: one climbing steeply, one climbing gradually, and one climbing in the opposite direction. The number of spirals in each set almost always consists of consecutive Fibonacci numbers, with most pineapples displaying 8 spirals in one direction and 13 in the other, while larger specimens may show 13 and 21.This phenomenon is called phyllotaxis, the scientific study of how leaves and plant parts arrange themselves on a stem. The arrangement is driven by the plant hormone auxin, which regulates growth at the meristem (the plant's growing tip). As new fruitlets develop, they emerge at an optimal angle of approximately 137.5 degrees—known as the Golden Angle. This precise angle ensures that no fruitlet overlaps another, allowing for the most compact and efficient packing possible.Researchers at institutions like the University of Arizona have used computer modeling to demonstrate that this pattern is the most energy-efficient way for plants to grow. By following these mathematical principles, the pineapple ensures uniform exposure to sunlight and nutrients for every section. This same geometric efficiency appears throughout nature, from sunflower seeds to pinecone scales, revealing how plants solve complex spatial problems through mathematics.