How to Grow Pineapples as Houseplants

Potted pineapple plant on a wood floor
Pineapples are bromeliads, which means they are flowering plants and don’t grow on trees. (Dmytro_Skorobogatov, Getty Images)

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a pineapple, here’s a tip: start with them as houseplants. It’ll take some time, but if you’re patient you’ll eventually have a taste of the tropics in your living room!

Now, first, let’s have a quick vocabulary lesson. You might hear people talk about pineapple ‘trees,’ but there’s no such thing! Pineapples are plants — you’ll learn more about that in the next section.

Rooting takes a couple of months, and it’ll likely take two to three years to get fruit, but in the meantime, you can enjoy the spiky foliage and the fun of growing a tropical treat.

Here’s how to root and grow pineapples indoors in your home.

Fresh ripe pineapple on a wooden cutting board
Pineapples take years to grow, but the sweet result is worth the time and effort. (Yuliya Furman, Canva)

About Pineapples

If you want to grow pineapples, you need to first learn about them. Here are some fast facts:

  • Pineapples are a type of bromeliad, which makes them a cousin to Spanish moss and the colorful bromeliads commonly grown as houseplants.
  • Smooth Cayenne is the top cultivar of pineapple; that is, it’s produced by selective breeding. It’s spineless with striped leaves and low-fiber flesh.
  • Pineapple leaves can absorb some water and nutrients; so can the plant’s roots.
  • A mature potted pineapple plant will be several feet across and tall, and a mature plant will need a 5-gallon planting container.
  • It will take at least a year of growing to get a plant to this size. You can put the pot outdoors during the summer, but you need to bring the pineapple plant inside before the first frost of fall.
Fresh sliced pineapple on a white cutting board
Want to know the easiest way to start growing a pineapple? You can root the crowns of store-bought pineapples. (AnSyvanych, Getty Images)

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How to Root a Pineapple Crown

Follow these easy steps to start growing a pineapple plant:

Step 1: Buy Fresh Pineapple

The next time you buy a fresh pineapple to eat, choose one that’s evenly ripe, with a nice healthy set of green leaves at the top. Avoid ones that are overripe or that have dead or sick-looking leaves.

Step 2: Slice Off Pineapple Crown

Using a sharp knife, slice off the top of the pineapple fairly close to the crown.

Carefully cut away the rind and remaining fruit — it’s important to remove any fruit flesh that will rot later.

Then, make very thin slices in the stalk, until you see a ring of brownish dots. These are the “root primordia,” the unformed roots that you’re about to grow.

Dried stalk with rooting hormone
Dried stalk with rooting hormone.

Step 3: Remove Leaves from Stalk

Pull off some of the lower leaves on the pineapple stalk, exposing about an inch of bare stalk.

Step 4: Allow Stalk to Dry

Set the pineapple crown aside for a few days to allow the wound to dry. Pineapples are susceptible to rot, so it’s important to dry out the cut end before planting.

Step 5: Plant Pineapple Stalk

Fill a 6- to 8-inch flower pot (clay is best, but any pot will do) with a light, fast-draining mixture — such as cactus potting mix — or a mixture of peat, sand and perlite.

If you like, you can dip the end in rooting hormone before planting. Plant the pineapple crown about an inch deep, gently firming the soil around it.

Pineapple crown planted in pot
Planted pineapple crown.

Step 6: Water Pineapple Stalk

Water the pineapple stalk very lightly, just enough to moisten the soil — a spray bottle works well for this.

Put the pot in a bright window, and water the plant when it’s dry, just enough to keep it moist.

Don’t use any fertilizer yet. To keep from overwatering, some people put the pot in a terrarium, or in a lightly sealed plastic bag, to allow the plant to recycle its own water.

Step 7: Wait for Pineapple to Root

It’ll take about one to three months for your pineapple to root. To test the progress, gently tug on the crown to see if it is taking hold in the soil. Don’t pull hard enough to break the roots.

Step 8: Repot Pineapple Plant

Once your pineapple has firmly rooted, it will begin growing new leaves from the center.
At this point, you can repot the plant in a 10-to 12-inch pot, using a rich but fast-draining potting mix.

After about a year of growing, you can move it to its final home in a large 5-gallon planter.

A sprawling pineapple plant
A sprawling pineapple plant. (Alison Steiner, Getty Images)

How to Care for Your Pineapple Plant

Plant Location:

Your pineapple needs bright indirect light or full sun for most of the day. It can handle a bit of shade as long as there’s plenty of light.

Keep the plant away from freezing temperatures. During harsh winters, your might place it in a warm sunny nook created by a large south-facing window.

Water and Fertilizer:

Overwatering and overfeeding are the two best ways to kill a pineapple plant. Water only as needed, and feed the plant about once a month with a balanced organic fertilizer at no more than regular strength.

Keep your pineapple plant lightly moist, and never let it become waterlogged or bone dry.

Pineapple Growing Season:

Your pineapple plant will do most of its growing during the warm seasons and will slow down when the days get short.

Pineapple Blooming:

Like other bromeliads, it can be difficult to get a pineapple to bloom, and it’s not likely to bloom or produce fruit for two to three years.

If it doesn’t bloom on its own, one popular way to induce blooming is to expose the pineapple plant to ethylene gas by enclosing your pineapple plant in plastic with a few overripe apples for a few weeks during the winter.

As the apples decompose, they release ethylene, which stimulates flowering.

Harvesting Pineapples:

Once your pineapple plant flowers, it takes several months to grow fruit. Smaller plants will produce smaller pineapples, but they’re just as yummy!

Pick the pineapples when they are evenly ripe and golden yellow.

growing pineapple plants
The best thing about planting pineapples? Pineapples beget more pineapples! (MmeEmil, Getty Images Signature)

Growing More Pineapples:

All of those new pineapples can be rooted to make more plants. When you harvest your pineapples, look at the base of the fruit for small baby shoots.

Harvest your pineapple carefully, leaving these shoots to grow a little. They can then be gently removed and planted in their own pots.

Further Information

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123 COMMENTS

  1. We cut the crown off and leave the rind on it.The grand kid’s then plant them around the Koi pond, at this time we have 3 growing, my bride planted on a 2 falls ago and sets it on top of the water heater NOT blocking the exhaust stack, each winter it has grown

  3. My plant is putting out leaves from the center however the old leaves are brown and look dead. Do I leave them or cut down to where there is a little green left on the old leaf? Thanks for your help.

    • Yes you cut the dead off. It prevents the plant from giving all the water to the dead areas so they can “revive”. So cut off any dead leaves, etc. BUT keep all the green leaves

  5. I find them easy to grow. I have several pots that need to be separated and 4 or 5 separate plants that I have repotted. I got several fruit last year and 3 on 2 plants this year. They were small but delicious. The ones that fruited were in direct sunlight for 3-4 hours a day. Water sparingly from the top and let it run down, and fertilize every 6 wks. I turn all of my plants weekly for more even growth..Good luck!

    • My leaves are about 4 feet long, and my plant is in a” 4or 5″ pot. Is it ok to put it in the ground? I live in Melrose, Fl. I started it by cutting the top off and sitting it in water for about a week, and then putting it in potting soil. My plant is around 6 or 7 years old. ( Do you think that it will still produce a good pineapple??? I fed it once, and boy !!!! that sucker shot up like you would not beleive. I have another one in water now. Any advice would be appreciated.

  6. i ve been growing my pineapple plant for about 18 months and 2 days ago I noticed the bloom coming up. I can’t wait for my pineapple to appear. thanks for your help

  7. My pineapple is almost a year old and I plan to re-pot it as soon as the weather warms enough to put it out of doors. It has two pups on it. Should I leave them be or try to remove them? And if I remove them, how is it done?

  8. My Pineapple is about 17 months old. It is in the same pot. i have added fresh soil this year. it is outside for the warm season…loves its partial shade and is growing everyday. My question is…do they prefer to be root bound in the pot or would they rather be transplanted in larger ones as it grows?

  9. I love your information. I have just started a pineapple from Hawai that i bought about two months ago and trimmed the cutting by removing bottom leave and inserting into a open mason jar with water, and see the roots grew longer. I trimmed another row of leave, and finally yesterday I potted the plant and placed it in our sunny north side porch where it gets the morning to noon sun. The pot is about six inches diameter and deep with a drain collector at the bottom. I’ll send a picture if you like. tell me how and where.
    regards.
    terence

  11. i need to know once you cut the pineapple off, will another one grow from the same plant? i know that the sucker plant will grow one, but does the one that just made a pineapple make another one again?
    thank you will be look for your answer in my email

  12. After your plant yields its first plant what should you do with the bottom of the plant that’s still in the pot? Will it grow another pineapple?

  13. I have a Pineapple Plant that is a couple of years old. I keep it outside in the summer in Georgia. Doing well and getting bigger. It will need more space inside once it gets too cold out. How low a temp can this plant tolerate? Thanks for your help.

  14. Hi, I am from Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Sir I want to seek information regarding my a pineapple plant. It is about 3 year old, but there is not a single fruit. What can I do to get fruit in my plant?

    • Pineapple Blooming:

      Like other bromeliads, it can be very difficult to get a pineapple to bloom, and it’s not likely to bloom or produce fruit for 2-3 years. If it doesn’t bloom on its own, one popular way to induce blooming is to expose the pineapple plant to ethylene gas by enclosing your pineapple plant in plastic with a few overripe apples for a few weeks during the winter.

  16. Have been growing plants for 6 years. Currently have four large pots, fill of plants that need to be divided. Have harvested 2 pine apples each year last year and again in 2015. Have shared over 20 plants with friends. Live in piedmont section of NC, so must move inside before frost begins.Should I divide pots before I relocate them to spend the winter under “grow lights” or should I wait until Spring? Appreciate suggestions.

  17. i have a pineapple plant growing in my home from planting the top in soil. It took a long time but finally i saw some growth. Oh sorry i forgot to mention i did place it in water first, til i saw some rooting on the bottom. My question is, my plant is growing nicely in the sunny window. Only one thing, it has some sort of plant growing along side of it but seems to be connected to it. It doesn’t look like any pictures i have seen. I only see the thin leaves growing and getting bigger in the pictures. Mine has a growing buddy or something. Actually its a nice looking plant that’s growing along with the leaves but what is that? i don’t see that with the pictures i’ve seen. thank you. i anxiously await your answer.

    • If its not a weed, then its a sucker plant that pineapple naturally produce, its another way that’s not crowns. leave it, and have fun!!!

  18. The fruit on my pineapple plant has gotten very top heavy and the stalk is leaning to one side. Should I add a stake to the plan to keep it upright? It is still very green and not ready for picking. Thanks in advance for your help! I look forward to hearing back.

  19. I bought a pineapple plant from the store with a tiny pineapple already growing. After reading these articles, I think I have over watered and need a bigger pot. I am very hopeful.

  20. My pineapples plant is growing fast in my 12″ pot the plant about 22″n high. I planted it about 5 month ago, it in the house right now. Does it need to be by a sunny windows, because most of the tips of plant are turning brown? Should I trim off brown end on every leaf?

  22. In July 2012 we simply twisted off the crown and set it in soil. It grew like crazy and now (December 2015) a fruit is growing out of it. No special treatment just indoors in winter (we live in Michigan) at a south window and it just keeps growing!

  23. Have five planted, three in garden because we ran out of room in the house, the plant is beautiful even without fruit. It is now winter and the two in the house, one 5 years old and the other 3 years old have blooms on them. Did very little fert. Water sparingly daily…place outside when late spring hits.

  24. The shop bought pineapple top must not be sliced. Instead gripped firmly with a cloth and turned to dislodge it. Trim off the tips of the leaves and Keep it to dry upside down for a week or so depending on the climate. Remove one inch of the bottom leaves, dust it with sulphur powder and rooting powder and sow it two inches deep in a fast draining moist soil that is acidic say pH of about 5. Do not flood with water till roots are formed, which is evident from growth of new leaves in the centre. Best of luck

  25. I planted one last summer and know I have one coming out of the soil next to it.Should it be replanted and do you separate to two of them.what is my next step?

  26. I just kinda plopped the pineapple top onto an 12″ pot on one side of my back porch in central FL. After a couple of years I moved it to the other side of the porch (meanwhile the plant just sat there doing nothing). The next year we ate the first delish fruit and cut off and replanted 5 babies. The next year one of them gave me fruit, the “mom” plant has two fruit and at least 5-6 buds. I’ll surely enjoy all 3 fruit this year, but next year I may open a roadside stand. I’m goint to plant some and leave some and see what happens.

  27. I have a varigated pineapple plant in a large pot and it has seven fruits starting to grow. The pineapple fruit has smaller starts growing along the top of the fruit. I thought they were suppose to grow on the bottom of the fruit. Should I pot them up when I harvest the fruit or pick and pot them now? Also should I divide the plant since it is so productive or does it help being in a tight growing area produce more fruit? Thank you for your help and information. Marian

  28. August 16,1977 I was at my aunt’s house visiting when we heard on TV of Elvis Presley leaving us! I was 29 yrs young….the love of my life…we had just finished cutting up 2 pineapples while tears were streaming, I was so heartbroken! Aunt Jane gave me the tops of the pineapples,came home…planted them, layering sand and dirt in an old fish aquarium I had in our downstairs basement. I placed it in front of floor length windows…now, in about a month, they will be 39 yrs. old. One of the plants is about 86 in. tall or more, we had to take a tile off to make room for it to keep growing, the other one is somewhat shorter. The taller one has 2 babies, almost a foot tall each, so if she passes on, she will be leaving her legacy! lol When I look at them, I always think of Elvis! Everyone is amazed when they look at them and hear the story! Just had to share, at least one time, my story with others!

  29. I have my pineapple plant in a 16″ clay pot. This is year 3 a pineapple is growing. I see babies attached plus it is producing the first pineapplethis year several small ones next to it. The pot looks crowded and am wondering if I need to transplant my plant.

    I don’t want to harm anything.

    Thanks
    Donna

  30. I live in Uk and plant the crown of the pineapple in water about two and half weeks ago in warm water and change the water every other day. I can now see the roots forming around the bottom of the crown.

    Reading for your article I knew that I may get the fruit or not. My question is can I put a pineapple outside or do I need to leave it indoors.

    I was also wondering if have being growing a black java plum and long does it take before you get fruit.

  31. I have had my tops in water for at least 3 weeks. Just learned today that’s a no no. Well today I took them out cleaned the bottom, pulled old leaves to white stalk on the bottom of each looks like crew cut hair should that be cut off. Also around the bottom looks like little shoots or round spikes. I just took them put of the water they seem healthy. Thank you for any advice . Jeanne

  32. My pineapple plant looks rootbound. There are roots coming out of the bottom of the pot. Purchased it that way. When should I repot it?

  33. I have just got a pineapple from the market and would like to grow it on, problem I live in England, have bananas living in my garden, and a grape vine, I would just love to have a pine apple even if I need to keep it in doors, any help you could give me would be great, David

  34. I put my pineapple crown in water and it has very healthy root. I brought the plant back in door because UK winter and frost.

    I was just wondering if you can give advice how to grow black java plum and if have any small plant which you can send to me. Please can you send a email to me and let me know.

    Do you grow holy basil and dio have any advise regarding the plant. Holy Basil plant was give to me by my sister and it now dying in winter and i am not sure what to do.

  35. I have three pineapple plants. First one planted is getting very tall. I removed any brown leaves, but no fruit. Not even a hint of fruit. It is about 4 years old. The other two plants I planted about one year now. It is producing two more plants on each side. What to do with them leave them alone or remove them and plant separate. If you say remove them how and when? Will any of them produce fruit?

  36. On Sept 26 I put the pineapple crown in a container of water, and 3 weeks later I had roots. 3 weeks later I put it in a pot of regular Scots miracle grow. I just found this article, I did not trim the leaves or anything else. It has doubled in size, I wish I could post a picture of it.

  37. In mid seventies, I happen to be post commander of Kulion BOP of BSF in Khasi hills in Meghalaya. This BOP was located at some height on Indo-Bangla border. More than 50 pineapple trees were planted. Once you have planted pineapple trees then you have nothing to do with the plants. We were getting 10 to 15 pineapple a week during the season.
    It’s very easy to cultivate.

  38. Six years planted pineapple. Had to bring inside during winter (southern alabama). Bloomed and beautiful looking fruit. When it turned yellow and smelled sweet I removed it. It was grey inside and no taste. Had to discard. It was not watered regularly but looked beautiful on the plant. Very disappointed but am trying another one. Should I throw the original plant out or hope for a new bloom? Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.

  39. I have quite number of pineapple plants now and carry them over the winter in my sunroom. I have been plagued by powdery mildew on my plants — some not all. Can you tell me what I can to do to control this fungus? I have fungicide which eliminates it — not sure where it’s coming from though. Are they getting too much water?

    Sharon

  40. Last May I moved from FL to TN. Bought with me four pineapple plants that produced delicious fruits last summer. The plants winterized in my garage. Will these plants produce fruit again in two years or should I start new plants which, since I now reside in TN,, will have to be kept either in the greenhouse and/or the basement of my home. Your advice will be appreciated.

  41. I planted the top of a pineapple 18 mos ago. The first time I tried, I followed all instructions meticulously, but it simply rotted away. On my second effort, I sliced the top of the pineapple off, set it into a pot outside on moist soil (central Fl) and its growing like crazy….never even took it inside over winter. Looking forward to the fruit!

  42. Very confused been reading and don’t know which way to plant the crown of my pineapple. I have cut and pulled the leaves about a inch from the bottom…Plz help!!

  43. My pineapple stems , leaves, are excess of 45-60″. It’s in a west window N. of Detroit. About 2 yrs now. Should I take it outside? It’s frisking huge in a 16 in pot. Does it need a bigger pot?
    Help!!!!!

  44. I’ve started 4 pineapple in water and am getting ready to put my question is I live in Arizona and I was wondering if they will be ok if I put them outside

  45. I’ve started 4 pineapple in water and am getting ready to put my question is I live in Arizona and I was wondering if they will be ok if I put them outside and if so should I put them in shade or full shade

  47. I found the best way to remove the crown was not to cut it but to put on a pair of gloves…hold it tight and twist it off. When I’ve done this they seem to grown so much better. I remove sum leaves around the stalk and place it in a little water ..and sit it in the sun. Couple of weeks….roots galore. Mine are growing very well .?????????

  48. Hello, I have a pineapple plant that I’ve planted about a year ago to Labor day weekend. My mom has a green thumb and I’ve grown to want to be like her in that area over the years. She suggested and actually done it for me… to cut most of thd fruit of my pineapple off a just stick in potting soil. It out outdoors until lated Novomber/ early December live in S.C we had a late winter. Through the winter I did notice that it grew better outdoors. Its now outside I water it about twice a week. It loves rain water. I can really tell when it grows! Looking forward to my fruit I had now idea until recently that it would actually bear fruit and a rewarding flower! I guess I have a couple more years. Its very large already. I can’t imagine the size it will be in 2 years. Happy growing!!

  49. I too live in Arizona .. I had started my outside in a pot that drained with a pot that doesn’t … but I have two stocks and want to separate them.. and put in a bigger pot

  51. I recently repotted my pineapple tree and placed it in my bay window. 4 months later (now) it has more than doubled in size. Outgrowing the window. Now each leaf that had touched the window is brown on the ends. Should I trim the leaves or leave them alone? If they need trimmed, how far back should I trim It? Thanks in advance! Dan

  52. hi this is a nice information for me to start a pineapple but my queston is how to figure out that it has roots growing without plucking it and secondly its winter over here November so will it grow if i plant it this instant. please tell 🙂

  53. I am having a great time with my pineapple plant. 2 years ago I threw a top into the garden during the summer to decompose. Not thinking anything about it until I went to the garden one day and saw that it was actually growing. My Husband suggested I bring it in when it started to get cold. I dug the top and and planted in a pot and put it in the house. This summer I re-potted it in a bigger pot left it on the front porch. I am going to try the apple idea to see if we can get it to bloom. Love to grow things.

  54. I started 4 pineapples in pots 3.5 years ago in July. I am in Canada so cold winter and I live on the 14th floor of a condo. So definatly no outside as no balcony here.
    It took several weeks for them to root and firm in the pots. the first year I did not get much growth but they looked great. I water once a week in the summer as they get all day sun from my floor to ceiling windows. I water every 2 weeks in the winter as not a hot sun on them.
    My windows are double pane 4 inches deep with a gas in the center. So never cold next to the pineapple plants.
    The second year they grew like crazy and the third year. This summer at 3 years old in July they were 6 feet wide the 2 largest ones of them, They sit with there leaves crossing each other or I would have no room.
    The other 2 pineapples are quite a bit smaller. I have found out there are a lot of different kinds of pineapples plants so I have obviously 2 kind. But I know they should bloom some time this year hopefully.
    A week ago beginning of January I was watering them when I noticed the 2 red centers and was thrilled that finally I was getting a pineapple.
    These are so fun to grow but place them in there final pot in a place you don’t need to move them till fruit there and ripe. Believe me they get huge and very heavy. my 2 are in Patio pots on he table in front of the window. And they would be a massively heavy move.
    Have fun growing one and be as thrilled as me when one day you see that red center of a pineapple growing. Never get discouraged as long as your plant is green.
    Ellen

  55. I have had two pineapples that I started as suggested above. It took about 3 years, but both plants got flowers which several months later turned into very tasty ripe pineapples.

    I have found that after about 3 years you need to ignore the plant. let it get stressed. No water for one for over a month and the other I actually turned on its side for a month or so and left it in the garage in the fall.

    For reference, I live in Virginia and I grow the plants indoors once the temps get below 50 or so and on the back porch the rest of the year.

  56. have two pineapples from one plant that grew the second one in the very large bucket. the top leaves are growing and how long do I have to let it grow. It has been about over a year since I planted it at home. Live in Florida so i put the plant outside and it has been growing good. the leaves were healthy and now some are looking bad. do i keep giving it food and water. How much longer will it be before the fruit is ready. the top leaves are growing bu are not really full yet. so much fun do this.

  57. have two pineapples from one plant that grew the second one in the very large bucket. the top leaves are growing and how long do I have to let it grow. It has been about over a year since I planted it at home. Live in Florida so i put the plant outside and it has been growing good. the leaves were healthy and now some are looking bad. do i keep giving it food and water. How much longer will it be before the fruit is ready. the top leaves are growing bu are not really full yet. so much fun do this. will this plant reproduce more fruit or is it finished after it produces these two pineapples

  58. Hi I live at Bribie Island Queensland – I planted 4 pineapple tops in the garden about 18mths to 2 years ago & have just picked 2 of them. Didn’t do anything special with them only watered regularly. They were the nicest pineapples I’ve tasted, so juicy & sweet. So very lucky. Was actually looking on here to see if another pineapple would grow from the original plant, but guess not so will dig that out now. Thanks for your information facts.

  59. I live in southern Oregon. I started 2 tops early in 2014 on top of the fridge. Put them in pots around June that year. I have repotted them several times over the years as they grow. In winter I keep them in our sun room with many other plants. Summer time they go outside. When I brought them in last fall one was starting to get a fruit, it is now about 10 inches tall. Last week the other one is starting to get a fruit. People tell me in my area that’s impossible, well they’re here.

  61. Hi guys
    As suggested in above detail I planted pineapple tops here in Pakistan we have long summers and short winters and even in winters the temperature does not fall below 10 degree Celsius I planted them about 4 months ago.It took about 2 months for them to root and in no time the new leaves emerged and now one is about 5 inches tall and the other is i guess 4 inches tall but one is wide spread they are progressing well here one I have planted in a 20 inch container and other in a 12 inch container it has spines on borders spines are pink in color waiting for my fruits 🙂

  62. When I went to Costa Rica (the #1 pineapple exporter) for a school trip, we went on a pineapple tour of an organic pineapple plantation. I found out many interesting things, such as you want to pick you pineapple when it’s green, and buy green pineapples, because yellow pineapples mean rotten pineapples. You also want to pick them right when their ripe and refrigerate (not freeze) them, because the second they are picked, they start fermenting, creating that biting aftertaste in your mouth. And also, after they are picked, 10 more pineapple sprouts should grow in its place, which you should cut off all except 1, so it can continue producing pineapple.

  63. So it 99 years and all of that trouble to grow a single pineapple. I’d just go to ShopRight and call it a day. What a waste of previous time.

  64. Yes, it took 3 years for the full, ripe (and very delicious) pineapple to harvest. What fun it was to see it blossom in the past year. We now have the little shoots coming out on the side of the large plant, and will let it grow a bit before cutting off. The pineapple plant is large, about 5 feet wide, so be sure to have sufficient space. It loved the south window in the winter, and the screened porch in the summer months.

  65. Hey piney peeps!!(cheesy) I have planted the tops of pinapples (just sliced off the top…left fruit & stuck it in the ground). They grew & produced fruit. Live in FL. I just was given a beautiful pink pineapple (tiny) & want to plant it. Because of its size, non-ripeness, and it’s odd appearance… I’m sketchy on the plan. I don’t care if it produced fruit, but the beauty of it is irrisistable. I am wondering if I can send a photo of it?

  66. I am encountering an unusual problem. After harvesting the first pineapple for my plant, it is now decided to try and shoot sprouts from the base of the plant. My question is whether I let those Sprouts continue to grow, or do I cut them out hoping to devorah strength into the main plant and get a second pineapple from it? If anyone has any ideas or suggestions – please let me know

  68. Hey!
    So I bought a pineapple plant with a small pineapple on top from a local plant store.
    Question 1: should move it to a bigger pot than what it came in? I’m in an apartment (no balcony) so will be keeping the plant indoors all year round.
    Question 2: why does it get yellow leaves. I read it could be from overwatering so I’ve been very conservative with watering. Maybe a little too conservative. Should you keep the earth a little moist or should it be mainly dry? I water into the centre of the leaves now.
    Question 3: it seems like there are two smaller plants in the same pot. They look like small tops of a pineapple and don’t seem to be attached to the main plant. Is it worth repotting those in their own pots?
    Bit of a plant newby, especially pineapple plants. I live in Denmark so winter tend to be cold/around freezing.
    Thanks for any advice!

  69. Almost 6 months growing up in Seattle outside, will bring indoors before first frost and wait til spring to go back out. Going to experiment and leave a Himalayan banana plant outside over winter to see if it makes it.

  70. hi
    So I bought a pineapple plant with a small pineapple on top from a local plant store.
    Question 1: should move it to a bigger pot than what it came in? I’m in an apartment (no balcony) so will be keeping the plant indoors all year round.
    Question 2: why does it get yellow leaves. I read it could be from overwatering so I’ve been very conservative with watering. Maybe a little too conservative. Should you keep the earth a little moist or should it be mainly dry? I water into the centre of the leaves now.
    Question 3: it seems like there are two smaller plants in the same pot. They look like small tops of a pineapple and don’t seem to be attached to the main plant. Is it worth repotting those in their own pots?
    Bit of a plant newby, especially pineapple plants. I live in Denmark so winter tend to be cold/around freezing.
    Thanks for any advice!

  71. I have 7 potted pineapple plants that have been outside all summer, I need to bring them in before first frost but fireants have invaded thm, what is best way to get rid of the ants so I can bring them back into my home?

  72. My mom bought me a small pineapple plant from Walmart. I have these huge windows in my kitchen that I call my miracle windows. I have so many plants in there it looks like a jungle. I grew a small pineapple from the plant my mom got me then I have already started another one and it’s getting new leaves. I kept the old plant still in the pot and it is making little plants come out of it. So I’m excited to try them out on growing them to. I love googling to find out how to take care of them. I went from wanting just one house plant to craving many. It helps relax me and now I just go spend time with my plants to relax. have fun and enjoy people. If you don’t get it the first time just keep trying.

  73. My just wanted the foliage, she never in her wildest dreams thought it would bear fruit. She has shared stories of her amazing plant with the mothers board at church and her friends. She is so proud of it. That I have taken pictures and sent to everyone we know. She planted it three years ago from a pineapple that was in the Christmas fruit bowl. Each year it grew tall and green, and when it was brought in for the winter (we had fruit)

  74. URGENT!!!

    I have a poorly pineapple!! (Percy)

    I think I have watered him too much, and I can almost see mould on the outside, very black.

    I’ve put him on the radiator, will I be able to save him???

    Please help

    • Hi, Eilish,
      Poor Percy! You know, gardening questions can be tricky since the rules can change based on the region. You didn’t include the location, so we would suggest contacting your local Master Gardeners association for tailored advice.
      Master gardeners train on a range of topics so they can provide advice, at no charge, for people in their area.
      Thanks for your question, and good luck! (And hang in there, Percy!)

  77. Tammy. To get rid of ants from any potted plant that was placed outside. Dilute dish soap with water and place in a spray bottle. Spray the leaves of the plant. Let sit for 15 minutes and then rinse off. The ants are only there for a food source: sweet sap left behind by aphids. Kill the aphids with the dish soap and then the ants. I just sprinkle ant poison on my potted plants and water it through. Works every time for my majestic palm. In the case of a pineapple though I wouldnt eat that fruit.

    • Hi, Ravi,
      Gardening questions can be tricky since the rules can change based on the region. You didn’t include the location, so we suggest contacting your local Master Gardeners association.
      Master gardeners train on a range of topics so they can provide advice, at no charge, for people in their area.
      Thanks for your question, and good luck!

    • Hi, Judy,
      Gardening questions can be tricky since the rules can change based on the region. You didn’t include the location, so we suggest contacting your local Master Gardeners association.
      Master gardeners train on a range of topics so they can provide advice, at no charge, for people in their area.
      Thanks for your question, and good luck!

  80. I bought a pineapple plant that already is starting to bloom. Is it best to plant it or to keep it as a house plant? I live in NC so it’s very warm. I know how much water it needs but that’s about all I know. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I really want the plant to grow so I will take all of the help I can get. Thank you!!

    • Hi, Mandy,
      We suggest contacting your local Master Gardeners association for the best recommendation tailored to your geographic area. Here’s where you can do that: https://emgv.ces.ncsu.edu/
      Master gardeners train on a range of topics so they can provide advice, at no charge, for people in their area.
      Thanks for your question, and good luck!

  81. Hello and thank you for your great information about pineapple growing. I live in Iceland and I haven’t been able to get any good advice on how to care for my pineapples. I bought in IKEA so there was no help there. I of course keep it inside since the climate here isn’t really the best for tropicle plants. But what I want to know is, when I water it do I water it directly to the soil or do I water it like Guzmania linguists, that is onto the plant and do I spray water on the leaves regularly since the air here is much dryer than in the pineapples original climate?

    • Hi, Kolbrun,
      Greetings from North America!
      With pineapples, it’s important to avoid overwatering the plant.
      Water only as needed, and feed the plant about once a month with a balanced organic fertilizer at no more than regular strength. Watering the soil and the leaves is fine in our climate, but we haven’t tried this in Iceleand, so it’s best to tread carefully and see how your plant responds.
      Here in the United States, local colleges have extensions staffed with master gardeners who can provide free gardening advice tailored to residents in their geographic area. It’s a public service.
      Does Iceland have similar programs? If so, and to stay safe, we recommend seeking local advice.
      Good luck!

  82. Thanks for the advice! Im going to be getting into planting tropical fruits like bananas, grapes, avocados, coconuts, cherries, oranges, papayas, and pineapples. Mostly because non of them grow here in Canastota, NY. And because I love plants! Ive bought quiet a few pineapples before but never knew how to grow one. Is there anything else I should know or consider before I try to grow a pineapple?

    • Hi, Aidan,
      Since this is a guide on how to grow pineapples as houseplants, as opposed to growing them outside in a garden, no, there’s no additional information that you should need.
      This covers the basics — good luck with your houseplant!

    • Just follow this guide and everything should be fine!
      No humans or pets were harmed during the production of these pineapples as houseplants.
      Let us know how it goes. 🙂

    • We are glad to hear it. Thanks for the update, and please share this tip with friends if you think they’d enjoy it!

  85. I planted my pineapple shoot last year 2019 and my plant has grown to be 4 feet by 4 feet tall and wide. I live in New Jersey and it gets cold here in the winter, so I put the plant in my garage which is somewhat heated. It is doing wonderful, but I wonder if I should plant it outside for the summer. If I plant it outside it will most likely grow bigger and I don’t know where I will put it in the winter of 2020. I am a senior and do everything by myself.
    Any tips on how to save this beautiful plant and maybe getting a pineapple from it?

  86. I live in Florida I grow pineapples all the time my pineapple plants are about ten years old I get big pineapples sometimes bigger than the ones they sell At the groceries store they are much sweeter to I just plant the tops I cut off the pineapples I never put them in water to root I use twenty twenty on them for fertilizer they are like an air plant ,.

  87. Hi,
    I twisted the top off of a store bought pineapple and immediately planted it into a compost filled coal pot that I have in my back yard. It has been 3 years and now I have as all pineapple growing out of the top!

    I did this from hearing that this would grow, and planted it as an experiment.
    I leave it in full sun on the east side of my house and it get full morning sun and a little midday sun, water it once a week. I loved the foliage and didn’t care if it produced or not….What a happy surprise!!!

  88. I have planted pineapple tops for about 8 years. My five year plant froze a couple of years ago. Finally, I had my first pineapple grow. Needless to say, I was soooo excited. I noticed it in May and have documented; Weekly and shared with my friends. The pineapple is still growing but the top was much taller than the bottom. I came home one night and the under developed pineapple had broken off. I’m not sure what happened but I was so disappointed. Will it grow a new one this year or will it be next season? I live in Charleston, SC.

  89. I just read your article on how to grow pineapples as houseplants. I have always wanted to try growing a pineapple plant for my home but never knew how! I love the idea of being able to enjoy the spiky foliage and the fun of growing a tropical treat. Thanks!

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