The pineapple fruit has reached full size and maturity. It will be about 16-20 inches tall and weigh 2-4 lbs. The skin color changes from green to yellow or orange hues. As the pineapple ripens, the skin color becomes more vibrant. The fruit yields a sweet fragrance at the base near the first set of leaves. When lightly pulled, it should release with a bit of resistance. The eyes on the pineapple skin are flat, not sunken or concave. The eyes turning concave is a sign of over-ripeness. The leaves in the center of the plant begin to turn brown and wilt. But the leaves should still be somewhat firmly attached. Ideally, pineapples should be harvested when the base turns yellow/orange and the aroma is present, but before over-ripeness sets in for maximum sweetness and shelf life after picking.