How to Grow a Pineapple
Pineapples are actually fairly easy to grow, and all you really need is just the top part of the pineapple (the crown) and some water!
Yield: 1 pineapple
Cost: $5
Materials
- 1 ripe pineapple
- 1 glass of water
- 1 pot with soil
Instructions
- Start off by choosing a healthier looking and ripe 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 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.
- 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 as needed.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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 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 to feed the plant.
- 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 USDA zone, just to name a few.
- 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 gold yellow.
- Once you've picked off your pineapple, you can cut the crown off and start the process all over again! It may take some time and a lot of patience, but as every good gardener knows, it's worth the wait!
