Pineapples make exotic and surprisingly easy-to-grow houseplants that can bring a touch of the tropics to any home. While it takes patience—a few months for rooting and years for fruit—the journey of growing a pineapple plant is half the fun. Homeowners can enjoy spiky, tropical foliage long before their first homegrown pineapple appears. This article will guide you through the process of growing a piece of paradise in your own home, from rooting a pineapple crown to caring for a mature plant.
About Pineapples
Pineapples are bromeliads, cousins to Spanish moss and other colorful bromeliads commonly grown as houseplants. The Smooth Cayenne cultivar is the most popular variety of pineapple, known for its spineless leaves with stripes and low-fiber flesh. Interestingly, pineapple leaves also absorb water and nutrients, along with the plant’s roots.
A mature potted pineapple plant can reach several feet in height and width and will require a 5-gallon planting container. It typically takes at least a year of growing for a plant to reach mature size, and it won’t produce fruit for two or three years. While you can put pineapple plants outdoors during summer, you must bring them inside before the first fall frost.
How To Root a Pineapple Crown
Growing a pineapple plant from the crown of a store-bought fruit is a simple process. Here are the steps:
Choose an evenly ripe pineapple with a healthy set of green leaves at the top. Avoid overripe fruits or ones with dead or sickly-looking leaves.
Using a sharp knife, slice off the top of the pineapple close to the crown. Carefully remove the rind and remaining fruit flesh to prevent rotting.
Then, remove thin slices of the stalk until you see a ring of brownish dots. These are the root primordia — the unformed roots that you’re about to grow.
Pull off some of the lower leaves on the pineapple stalk, exposing about an inch of bare stalk.
Set the pineapple crown aside for a few days to allow the cut area to dry. This step is important because pineapples are susceptible to rot.
Fill a 6- to 8-inch flower pot with a light, fast-draining mixture, such as cactus potting mix or a blend of peat, sand, and perlite. Plant the pineapple crown about an inch deep, gently firming the soil around it. If you like, dip the end of the stalk in rooting hormone before planting. .
Lightly water the pineapple stalk, just enough to moisten the soil. (You can use a spray bottle.) Place the pot in a bright window and water when the soil is dry, but do not overwater it!
Don’t use any fertilizer yet.
It typically takes one to three months for a pineapple to root. You can gently tug on the crown to check for progress, but be careful not to damage any new roots.
Once the pineapple has rooted firmly and starts growing new leaves from the center, you can repot it in a 10- to 12-inch pot with rich, fast-draining potting mix. In about a year, you can move the plant to its final home, a 5-gallon planter.
Selecting the Soil
Soil selection is an often overlooked aspect of growing pineapples, but it’s important. Pineapples thrive best in well-draining soil mixtures. You can get the ideal blend using a commercial cactus potting mix mixed with some organic matter, such as compost, to provide nutrients. Avoid heavy potting soils that retain moisture. They can lead to root rot and deprive the pineapple of essential oxygen.
How to Care for Your Pineapple Plant
Attentive care is essential for a pineapple plant to thrive. Think about:
Location
Pineapple plants need bright light or full sun most of the day. They can handle some shade as long as they receive plenty of light overall. Protect the plant from freezing temperatures. In the winter, move it to a warm, sunny spot near a large south-facing window.
Water and Fertilizer
Overwatering and overfeeding are the two quickest ways to kill a pineapple plant. Water only as needed, keeping the soil lightly moist but never waterlogged or bone dry. Feed the plant about once a month with a balanced organic fertilizer at no more than regular strength.
Pineapple Growing Season
Pineapple plants do most of their growing during warm seasons and slow down when days get shorter. Consider this natural cycle when caring for your plant. Don’t panic during the slow season and overfeed or overwater your pineapple.
Pineapple Blooming
Like caring for other bromeliads, it can be challenging to get a pineapple to bloom, and it’s unlikely to produce fruit for two to three years. To encourage blooming, for a few weeks in the winter, some gardeners expose the plant to ethylene gas by wrapping it in plastic with overripe apples.
Harvesting Pineapples
Once a pineapple plant flowers, it takes several months to grow fruit. Smaller plants will produce smaller pineapples, but they’re just as tasty. Harvest the pineapples when they are evenly ripe and golden yellow.
Light and Temperature
Light and temperature settings are vital for healthy pineapple growth. Pineapple plants prefer temperatures ranging from 65°F to 95°F. If indoors, consider using grow lights during the darker winter months to supplement natural light. Avoid sudden temperature changes as they can stress the plant, leading to slow growth or even disease.
Growing Additional Pineapples
One of the best parts of growing pineapples is that they produce offshoots, allowing gardeners to grow even more plants. When harvesting a pineapple, look for small baby shoots at the base of the fruit. You can carefully remove them and plant them in separate pots, where the cycle of life begins again.
Moving Pineapples Outdoors for the Summer
While pineapples make excellent houseplants, they can benefit from spending time outdoors during warmer months, too. Here’s how to transition a pineapple plant to outdoor living for the summer:
- Wait for consistently warm weather with nighttime temperatures above 60°F (15°C).
- Gradually acclimate the plant to outdoor conditions over seven to 10 days.
- Choose a location with bright, indirect light, ideally with morning sun and afternoon shade.
- Protect the plant from strong winds that could damage the leaves.
- Adjust your watering as needed. Rainy conditions outside may dictate that you water less frequently.
- Watch for outdoor pests like slugs or snails. If needed, use organic pest control.
- Slightly increase fertilizer application during an active growing period (warmer months).
- If you expect nighttime if temperatures to drop below 60°F (15°C), bring the plant back indoors until the temperatures go back up.
- Inspect and clean the plant thoroughly before bringing it back inside.
- Reverse the acclimation process when bringing the plant back indoors to reduce stress.
Common Pineapple Plant Problems
While pineapple plants are relatively low maintenance, they can have a few issues. Those include root rot, yellowing or browning leaves, pests, and slow growth.
Overwatering is the primary cause of root rot in pineapple plants, so make sure the soil drains well and allows it to dry slightly between waterings. If your leaves are changing colors, notice if they’re turning brown or yellow. Brown leaf tips can indicate underwatering, low humidity, or excessive fertilizer. Adjust your care accordingly and mist the plant regularly to increase humidity. Yellow leaves can be a sign of various issues, including poor lighting, nutrient deficiencies, or overwatering. Adjust lighting conditions or add a balanced fertilizer to help the plant recover. In some cases, changing the watering schedule solves the problem so that the soil is neither too dry nor too soggy.
While generally pest-resistant, pineapple plants can occasionally attract mealybugs or scale insects. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Finally, if a pineapple plant isn’t growing as expected, it may need more light or nutrients. Consider moving it to a brighter location or adjusting your fertilizer regimen.
Remember, the key to success lies in mimicking the pineapple’s natural tropical habitat as closely as possible within your home’s environment. By providing the right conditions—bright light, well-draining soil, and attentive care—you can successfully cultivate these exotic plants indoors. So why not give it a try? Your next store-bought pineapple could be the start of an exciting, fruity adventure in indoor gardening.
Further Information
- How To Grow Bromeliad Houseplants (article)
- Save Your Plant—Pineapple Top (yougrowgirl.com)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the indoor pineapple plant edible?
Yes, the fruit produced by indoor pineapple plants is entirely edible. While it may be smaller than commercially grown pineapples, it should have the same sweet flavor. The leaves and other parts of the plant aren’t edible.
Can you grow pineapple plants from the fruit of a regular store-bought pineapple?
Absolutely! In fact, this is one of the most common ways to start a pineapple plant at home. You can root the crown (leafy top) of a grocery store-bought pineapple to grow a new plant.
What conditions do pineapple houseplants need to thrive indoors?
Pineapple plants thrive in conditions that mimic their tropical plant origins:
- Bright, indirect light
- Warm temperatures (65°F to 75°F/18°C to 24°C is ideal) because they can’t tolerate temperatures below 50°F
- Well-draining soil
- Moderate humidity
- Consistent but not excessive watering
- Monthly feeding with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season
How much sunlight does a pineapple plant need when grown indoors?
Pineapple plants need bright light for most of the day to thrive indoors. They do best with at least six to eight hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. A south-facing window is often ideal. If natural light is insufficient, you can supplement it with grow lights.
Can pineapple plants grow in pots?
Yes, pineapple plants grow very well in pots. In fact, growing them in containers is ideal for most home gardeners, especially in non-tropical climates.
Start with a 6- to 8-inch pot for a newly rooted crown, and gradually increase the pot size as the plant grows. A mature pineapple plant will need a 5-gallon container. Always ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent water-logging.
