If you are lucky enough to live in an area where pineapples grow naturally, you may already know how to grow your own pineapple plant at home, which can save you tons of money on fresh pineapple purchases!
But if your home or garden environment doesn’t naturally provide the perfect conditions for growing pineapple plants, you might be wondering if it’s really possible. You’ll be happy to know that it’s not just possible, but pretty easy too!
With these eight simple steps, you’ll be able to grow your own pineapple plant at home and enjoy fresh pineapple whenever you want!
Materials you need
A few key tools and materials are needed to grow pineapples at home:
- Fresh pineapple:
- A 9-inch pot:
- A sharp knife
- A glass jar
- Organic Potting mix or soil
Step 1 – Buy the right plant
It might be tempting to buy a pineapple plant from a grocery store, but you should know that these plants are more decorative than edible. On top of that, most of them are grafted onto regular pineapples instead of full-grown ones. So if you really want fresh pineapple, it’s best to just grow your own.
Ripe pineapples have mostly yellow exteriors with a bit of brown at the crown where the leaves are. If pineapple is green, it isn’t ripe, while an orange or dark golden yellow one may be overripe. Look for pineapples with bright yellow skin.
Step 2 – Choose a Pot
There are a few different types of containers that you can use for your pineapple, but a ceramic or clay pot is best. Plastic or metal containers will cause harmful chemicals to leach into your soil and harm your plant.
When picking out a container, make sure it’s large enough to hold a healthy pineapple plant. At least 16 inches in diameter is recommended. Anything smaller may not allow enough room for growth.
Step 3 – Remove Pineapple’s Crown
Cut the top (upper part) off the pineapple and remove the crown with a sharp knife. Be careful not to cut too deep or too close to the base of the fruit. If you do this correctly, you should be able to see what looks like pineapple eyes on both sides of the fruit. These are called eyes because they are where new leaves will come out from.
Step 4 -Trim excess fruit flesh and the bottom of the stem
After removing the crown and excess fruit flesh, make small slices in the stem at the bottom. There will be a ring of brown dots surrounding the root primordia. Pineapple roots will grow here.
Step 5 – Dry the Stalk
Drying the stalk is the final step in this process. You will need a sunny warm air with air circulation to do this. Place the pineapple upside down, leaving it for about three days so that all the moisture can be removed from the stalk.
Step 6 – Place the crown in a glass jar
Take a jar of water, place the crown in it and submerge the bottom of the stem in water. Make sure the stem is underwater. Place in the sunniest window possible and change the water every day or two. In about one to two weeks, you will see roots on top of the water and new leaves starting to grow. Now is the perfect time to put it in the pot.
Step 7 – Put Pineapple in the POT
Fill the pot with soil and plant your pineapple in it. Make sure the pineapple’s top is a little above ground level. Add some water to moisten the soil around it. Leave it alone for now, and let it grow!
Step 8 – Place your pot into SUN
Once the plant has rooted fully and is in good health, it’s time to move it into full sun. Water the soil, but don’t overdo it.
The pineapple is a sun-loving plant and prefers a bright location, especially when it is young. If you can provide it with plenty of sunlight and warmth, your pineapple will flourish.
After a couple of years, however, your pine may outgrow its pot and need more space in which to grow. When choosing a new pot for your plant, make sure that it’s large enough that your potted pineapple can remain in direct sunlight for most of the day.
Conclusion
Keep your plant happy and well-fed with just a little love, attention, and care. And in no time, you’ll be enjoying your own home-grown pineapple. Just make sure you let us know when it’s ready for harvest!