Grow Your Own Pineapple

Fruits and Berries Last Updated On 08/07/2023

Pineapples are sweet fruits and you can buy them in almost any store. However, it's possible to grow them in your home. These plants can be grown from the top of another plant. This short tutorial shows you how to start your own pineapple:

1. You need a strong, healthy pineapple. It should have firm, green leaves (not brown or yellow). Check out the fruit's skin: it should be golden brown in color. The pineapple shouldn't be overripe. You can check this by gently tugging on the leaves. If the leaf goes right off, the pineapple is too ripe and can't be used for planting.
   
   Another thing you should check is that there are no scale insects on the basis of the leaves (they look like little grayish spots).
2. Cut off the crown of the pineapple. Strip the lower leaves so the stem is exposed. Make sure to remove any fruit flesh from the stem. It will cause the pineapple to rot when planted unless you do it. Remove the fruit flesh gently to not damage the stem.
3. Turn the crown upside down and let it dry for about a week. It's important to do this so the cut end and the leaf scars can harden.
4. Put the crown in a glass of water and wait the roots to start growing out. You should change the water every few days. Keep the plant in moderate conditions (it shouldn't be too cold or too hot in the room).
5. Carefully plant the crown in a 6 inch (15 cm) large pot. It's best to use light garden soil with about 30% blend of organic matter. Press the soil firmly around the base of the crown. Make sure not to get any soil on the leaves.
6. You should keep the newly planted pineapple moist but not wet. It's best to put it in a sunny, warm and humid place where night temperatures don't go below 65 degrees F (18 degrees Celsius).
7. Watering should be done once per week. Water the soil lightly ‐ overwatering is not good for the plant. Make sure to mist the plant regularly, especially if the conditions are dry.
8. Fertilizer should be applied twice per month during summer. It's best to use half-strength fertilizer.
9. Take care of your pineapple and wait for flowers to emerge. It can take several years but finally a red cone will appear in the center of the leaves. It will be followed by blue flowers and finally a fruit. The pineapple grows from the flower, above the ground, in the center of the plant. It takes about six months for the fruit to mature and develop.

Once you get the fruit you can enjoy your tasty, homegrown pineapple.

Photo credit: jje