Looking to learn how to grow a pineapple? You’ve come to the right place! The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical plant that is part of the Bromeliaceae family and can be grown in a number of different climates, with a tropical or subtropical climate being favored.
One sweet, juicy bite reels your senses right into a more tropical version of the life. Aside from its sunny flavor and the beachy mental imagery, pineapple is packed with nutrients that can dramatically improve your physical health. From vitamins and minerals to fiber and enzymes, pineapple fruit gives the body a natural boost.
Most gardeners have left pineapple growing to the experts. A few rogue gardeners out there know just how very easy it is to grow a pineapple at home, though. We’ve drummed up the best practices for growing your very own pineapple successfully, and we’re passing it along to you to try. The results won’t disappoint. In fact, the result will be your very own homegrown pineapple.
HOW TO GROW A PINEAPPLE
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to grow a pineapple by cutting off the crown and re-growing it in water, and then in soil. Above all, growing a pineapple this way is a really easy way to ensure good, adequate growth.
CHOOSE A FRESH PINEAPPLE
Start off by choosing a good, healthy pineapple, and one that’s preferably organic. Organic pineapples ensure that they are not laden with pesticides, therefore providing you and your family with a healthier option.
CUT OFF THE CROWN
Cut off the pineapple top (crown) using a sharp knife. Remove any extra leaves that may be near the bottom of the cut, and ensure that the cut is a clean one. Ideally, there should be no extra fruit left, as this can cause rotting.
PLACE PINEAPPLE CROWN IN WATER
Fill a small container with water and place your pineapple top in the water, cut side down. Be sure that the water does not touch the leaves. Check the water every 2-3 days and replace it as needed.
WAIT FOR PINEAPPLE ROOTS TO GROW
Your pineapple plant will grow faster if placed in a sunny, south-facing window. Depending on the temperature, amount of sunlight, and humidity, the pineapple will start forming roots within 1-3 weeks. Once that happens, you may transplant the pineapple in the soil!
TRANSPLANT PINEAPPLE IN SOIL
Remove the rooted pineapple from water and transplant into a large pot or container that’s filled with moisture-retaining soil. If you live in a tropical or subtropical climate, you may plant the pineapple directly outdoors. Add soil around the roots, making sure they’re completely submerged in soil and tamp down with your hands.
WATERING PINEAPPLE
Water your pineapple plant immediately after planting and then water regularly thereafter. For quick growth, be sure to check the soil on a regular basis. The soil should always be a little moist.
SUNLIGHT
Pineapples grow big and healthy when they are in direct sunlight, so place your potted pineapple in an area where it will receive 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.
WAIT FOR PINEAPPLE PLANT TO ROOT
It will take about 1-3 months for the pineapple plant to firmly take root into the pot. You can test this by gently pulling onto the pineapple plant. If it’s firmly rooted, you’ll know!
RE-POT PINEAPPLE
Once the plant has firmly rooted, it will start growing bigger and you will then need to re-pot it. Do this by gently taking the plant out and re-potting it into a 10-12″ pot. Use a rich, but fast-draining potting soil mix. After about a year, you’ll need to re-pot the pineapple plant yet again, into a bigger, 5-gallon pot or container.
FERTILIZE PINEAPPLE
Fertilize the pineapple plant once a month and no more. Do this only once your pineapple plant has become established: over-fertilizing it can be a sure way to kill it! Use an organic, balanced fertilizer at regular strength.
BLOOMING
If there’s one thing you must have with a pineapple plant, it’s patience! It can take anywhere from 2-3 years for a pineapple plant to bloom or produce fruit. This is all depended on a few factors such as climate, sunlight, soil quality, humidity, and the USDA zone, just to name a few.
HARVESTING PINEAPPLES
If you see your pineapple plant producing flowers, that means it’s almost ready to produce the fruit! Once you see flowers, it will take a few months for the plant to produce the actual fruit! Pick the pineapple when the color is an even golden yellow.