How to Grow a Pineapple

Although the steps involved in growing a pineapple are relatively straightforward, actually growing a successful pineapple can be somewhat difficult. Don't be discouraged, and be prepared to try a few times before you actually succeed in growing a viable pineapple plant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh, ripe pineapple with a healthy crown
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Small glass
• 8-inch pot with sufficient drainage
• Gardening soil
• Fertilizer for house plants
• Water

Prepare the Crown

1. Examine the crown of the pineapple. Its pointy leaves should be healthy and green.

2. Lay the pineapple sideways on a cutting board. Cut off the crown of the pineapple, and carefully trim away any excess flesh. You should cut close enough to the crown to see the small dots that indicate root buds. These will become the roots of the pineapple plant you grow.

3. Remove any leaves around the base of the crown. These can rot when you plant the crown, and you want a bare stem around the base of the crown.

4. Turn the cut crown upside-down and let it dry for one week. The cut end of the crown should be hard by the end of this time.

Develop the Root System of the Crown

5. Put the dried crown in a container of water, and set the container in a place where there are few temperature fluctuations.

6. Change the water in the container every few days.

7. Check the crown for slight root growth after three weeks.

Plant the Crown

8. Fill the bottom of a pot with small stones.

9. Add potting soil to the halfway point.

10. Remove the crown from the water, and set it on the soil in the pot.

11. Add more soil to fill the pot, tapping it down firmly around the crown.

12. Fertilize and water the soil just after planting.

13. Put the pot in a sunny place, and keep the soil moist but not wet.

14. Look for new leaves within about six to eight weeks.

15. Water the pineapple plant every week.

Tips & Warnings

• Some pineapple growers believe that the crown develops better roots if you use a container made of dark glass in Section 2, Step 1.
• Fertilize the pineapple plant every two or three months after planting.
• A pineapple plant might not produce a pineapple for two or three years.
• Remember that pineapple plants are tropical. Keep your pineapple plant inside if you live in a cold climate. During warm summer months, you can leave your pineapple plant outside.
• A pineapple plant will need to be about six feet tall and six feet across in order to produce a large pineapple.
• Do not use a pineapple crown with grayish spots at its base. These might indicate an insect infestation in the pineapple and will keep you from growing a pineapple plant.
• Gently pull the leaves on the crown of the pineapple plant. If they come out too easily, the pineapple crown is too overripe for planting.

Resources

• See how your full-grown pineapple might look at the Pineapple Fruit Company

[lynninnc]

on 12/29/2007 Very good instructions! I think you may want to re-thing the mature size--it's probably more like 2 feet tall and wide when it's ready to bloom, or has about 25 leaves. Also, they need at least 6 hours of bright light per day. Grow lights help if you want to try it but think your light is a little low.