How to Grow a Potted Pineapple Plant

The pineapple crown is used to start a new plant.

No matter where you live, you can grow a potted pineapple plant in your own home. Growing a pineapple plant starts with a visit to the grocery store to select just the right pineapple for your project. Patience is needed to grow a pineapple plant, as it can take many months until you notice any growth. While potted plants will usually not produce full-sized fruit, they will flower and produce small pineapples with the proper care.

Things You'll Need

• Pineapple crown
• Tray
• Glass
• 8-inch clay pot
• Potting soil
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Buy a mature pineapple. Look for pineapples with green leaves and a light brown or golden brown exterior.

2. Remove the crown, or top of the pineapple, from the rest of the pineapple by cutting off the top inch or two of the plant. Cut away any fruit located on the underside of the crown. In some cases, you may be able to remove the crown by twisting it off the pineapple.

3. Cut away thin sections from the bottom of the plant to reveal root buds. Root buds look like dots or circles around the perimeter of the crown. Cut away leaves from the lower part of the pineapple, leaving about an inch of exposed crown at the base.

4. Place the crown upside down on a tray and allow it dry out for five to seven days. Put the tray in a shaded place. Drying out the crown prevents rot and allows scars from cutting to heal.

5. Put the pineapple crown in a glass of water and place it an area that isn't subjected to bright sunlight or excessive heat. Change the water every several days. Roots will begin to form after two or three weeks.

6. Plant the rooted crown in potting soil in an 8-inch clay pot that has drainage holes. Apply houseplant fertilizer to the soil. Water the crown and place it in a sunny window that receives at least six hours of sun each day.

7. Look for new leaf growth in approximately seven or eight weeks. Gently pull on the crown to determine if it has taken root. If it hasn't, the top of the crown will pull up easily.

8. Fertilize the pineapple plant every two or three months and water it once per week. Avoid soaking the soil when you water.

Tips & Warnings

• Your plant will begin to flower approximately 20 months after you plant the crown, according to the Pineapple Working Group. A bright red cone will emerge in the center of the plant, followed by light blue flowers. After the flower petals have dried up, fruit will form in their place.

• Potted pineapple plants can be placed outdoors during the summer. The plant should be kept in a shady area for the first few days until it adjusts to being outdoors.

• Re-pot the plant in a 12-inch clay pot after one year or when you notice the plant is outgrowing its pot.

References

• Pineapple Working Group: How to Grow a Pineapple in Your Home
• University of California Cooperative Extension: Growing a Pineapple Houseplant

Resources

• Rick's Wood Shop Creations: How to Grow a Pineapple