Have you ever wanted to grow your own pineapple plant? Today, we'll show you how to grow a pineapple plant in just a few easy steps! It's simple enough that anyone can do it, and to be honest, you don't need much to get started! Pineapples are fun to grow, and although they do take a little bit of time, there's nothing more satisfying than consuming something you've grown yourself from scratch!
Next time you head to your local grocery store, pick up a pineapple plant, preferably an organic one! From there on, the world is your oyster…or your pineapple! The pineapple fruit is packed full of beneficial vitamins and minerals, so not only is it fun to grow, but it's also very healthy for you!
How to Grow A Pineapple
As most of you are well aware, there are tons of plants you can re-grow just by cutting the stem or the top of them and replanting them in some way or another! Well, the same stands for the pineapple! All you have to do is cut the top of the pineapple off and you've got yourself a new plant to work with!
Best of all, you can grow the pineapple top indoors while it's nice and cold outside, so you'll have a super modern, super cool looking plant growing indoors! A little tropical touch in the cold winter months does the soul good! So next time you head to the grocery store, grab a fresh pineapple fruit, and plant the top in a glass of water! In no time, you'll have a beautiful pineapple plant. Pineapple leaves are very green and decorative, so even if the pineapple fruit doesn't grow, you'll still be left with an amazing houseplant.
If you don't live in a tropical or semitropical climate, try as best as you can to replicate those conditions. During warm summer months, you can move the pineapple plant outdoors in full sun. During colder months, move the plants indoors either in a south facing window or underneath grow lights.
How to:
- Cut or twist the top of the pineapple off (you know, the spiky part!), also called the crown. Then, remove some of the leaves at the bottom that may have started turning yellow. Remove enough leaves to expose the bottom of the top.
- Slice the bottom off the crown to make a clean cut. You don't want to have leaves sitting in water whatsoever.
- Plant the crown in a saucer with water so that your pineapple will start to form roots.
- Make sure you keep checking the saucer for water – you don't want it drying out as it's forming its roots! Keep adding water as needed.
- Once roots start showing (about 3 weeks), and your pineapple plant start growing, it's time to transfer to a pot!
- Add moisture retaining potting soil to a large pot and plant your pineapple, making sure you add soil around the roots so it's nice and firm in there!
- Keep the soil most and make sure your pineapple has enough light, about 4-6 hours a day.
Now keep in mind that you might not have an actual pineapple that's ready to eat anytime soon! Although your pineapple WILL grow indoors, it still needs lots of heat and sunshine, so once it warms up outside, bring the plant outdoors, and in a few years you may just have one that's ready to eat!
You may harvest the fruit once it has reached its regular size. A pineapple plant will produce fruit anywhere from 2-6 years, depending on climate, sun, and variety of pineapple. But in the meantime, appreciate its tropical beauty as a decorative plant!
How Much Space Do Pineapple Plants Need?
While the roots don't actually require much space at all, the plant itself can grow to be very big. So the more space you give your plant, the bigger it can grow! The leaves of the pineapple have very spiky ends, so be sure to place it somewhere where you're not going to bump into it! For best results, plant each pineapple plant about a foot away.
How Much Water Do Pineapple Plants Need?
Like we mentioned earlier, pineapple plant do not need a lot of water to grow. In fact, they can get by with very little water, so they're great plants to have if you're a little forgetful. If you live in a tropical or subtropical climate, your pineapple plants may need more water and shade. If you tend to overwater, be sure to grow your plant in a pot with drainage holes so that the water can run off.
Do Pineapple Plants Need Fertilizer?
Pineapple plants get most of their nutrients from their leaves, so the first few months of growth, they will not need any fertilizer. Stay away from artificial and concentrated fertilizers, as this can burn the leaves of the pineapple plant. Alternatively, you can use seaweed extract or fish emulsion. You can add it to the soil and also directly to the leaves.
Ideally, you shouldn't need to fertilize your pineapple plant if you mix in compost with your soil before planting, and also mulch around the plant. A natural solution is always best.
How to Tell If You Have a Healthy Plant
The best way to tell if your plant is healthy, is to simply look at the leaves. A healthy pineapple plant will have nice green leaves. One that is malnourished or over watered will have a purple reddish color to it. This simply means you need to care for it better, whether that's mixing in some compost or watering it less. Either way, a pineapple plant is hard to kill, so don't fret – you can almost always bring it back to life!
When Do Pineapples Plants Produce Fruit?
This can vary from plant to plant. Growing a pineapple from the top, takes the longest. Depending on the climate and care it receives, it can take several years. Suckers will take about 18 months to produce fruit, and split can take about a year. Usually a pineapple will start to flower once it's big enough. If you can provide it with a tropical environment, it will grow quicker.
Once a pineapple plant start to flower, expect another six month for the fruit to be ready to be picked. The pineapple fruit will be ready to be picked once yellow, but can also be harvested earlier, while it is still green. Simply leave it on your kitchen counter and it will ripen naturally.
Pineapple Plant Care:
- Be sure that your pineapple plant receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- Allow the pineapple plant to dry out in between waterings.
- Fertilize the pineapple plant with a houseplant fertilizer 1-2 times a month during the spring and summer.
- In spring and summer, you may move the pineapple plant outdoors and place in a semi-shaded area.
- Move the pineapple plant back indoors once temperatures drop.
Pineapple Plant Information:
There are a few important things you should know about pineapple plants before growing them!
- Pineapples don't need much water, so don't water them unless the soil is very dry.
- For best results, try to grow pineapples in slightly acidic, free draining soil.
- Because pineapples belong to the bromeliads family, they do not need much soil or even quality soil. This is why it's so easy to grow pineapples in water.
- Pineapple plants get the majority of their water and nutrients through their leaves.
- Although pineapple plants prefer full sun,they also do well in shaded areas.
- Pineapple do not like waterlogged soil.
- Never fertilize the base of the leaves – they will burn.
- If you're planting a bought pineapple, be sure that it is a healthy looking fruit and that it is organic.
So now that you know how to grow a pineapple plant, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting!
How to Grow a Pineapple Plant
Instructions
- Cut or twist the top of the pineapple off (you know, the spiky part!), also called the crown.
- Then, remove some of the leaves at the bottom that may have started turning yellow.
- Remove enough leaves to expose the bottom of the top.
- Slice the bottom off the crown to make a clean cut. You don't want to have leaves sitting in water whatsoever.
- Plant the crown in a saucer with water so that your pineapple will start to form roots.
- Make sure you keep checking the saucer for water – you don't want it drying out as it's forming its roots! Keep adding water as needed.
- Once roots start showing (about 3 weeks), and your pineapple plant start growing, it's time to transfer to a pot!
- Add moisture retaining potting soil to a large pot and plant your pineapple, making sure you add soil around the roots so it's nice and firm in there!
- Keep the soil most and make sure your pineapple has enough light, about 4-6 hours a day.
Happy Planting!
Image Source: Steptohealth
How long does it take to grow a pineapple?
Hi there,
Depending on how you started to grow your pineapple, it can take some time. You should expect anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 years for your pineapple plant to produce fruit.
do pineapple plants need full sun?
Hi Gena,
For pineapple plants to grow healthy, they need full, direct sunlight. Pineapple plants are tropical, and therefore thrive in full sun. Not giving them enough sun can result in growth stunt and a slow production of fruit.
Are coffee grounds good for pineapple plants?
Absolutely! Throw your used coffee grounds right into the soil of the pineapple plant! Pineapples love acidic soil, so this is a great way to re-purpose used coffee grounds.
How do you force a pineapple to fruit?
Hi Jerry, Once a pineapple plant has about 30 leaves on it, you can actually force the plant to bloom. Do this by surrounding it with ethylene gas. To do this, place a rotten apple in the center of the pineapple plant and cover both with a plastic bag. This will release the ethylene gas and force the bloom.
Thanks for sharing!! Will try this 😀
Thanks Sunny 🙂
I’ve had my pineapple plant for a few years now, but it still hasn’t made any fruit. Any advice?
Hi Terry,
A pineapple plant can take years to produce fruit, and there are also a few important factors to consider such as location and climate. If you live in a tropical or subtropical climate, your pineapple plant should bear fruit. If you’re growing a pineapple plant in a pot, indoors, the chances of your plant producing fruit are very slim.
Will I get a pineapple fruit from this if i grow it inside? how long??
Hi Tedd,
If growing indoors, the chances of the pineapple plant growing an actual pineapple fruit are unfortunately minimal. Unless you live in a tropical or subtropical climate, the pineapple fruit may never come to fruition fully. What you can do though to try to make it happen, is always keep the plant in a warm and sunny place, and in the summer, always bring it outdoors in full sun.
Very cool!! Will try this over the weekend!
Awesome! Let us know how it turns out 🙂