Would you like to grow a pineapple from the one you recently bought in the grocery store? Well, guess what? You absolutely can and I am going to show you how to do it step by step!
It is always better to grow your own food instead of settling for store-bought food! For more information read “Grow Your Own vs Store-Bought” by The Farm Wife.
I tried to grow my own pineapple many times. Some produced a wonderful pineapple and some have not. I had heard that you could do so, but I figured it would not work. However, I bought one, followed what I was taught, and voila!
Now I am going to show you how to do so step by step. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Pineapple
Choosing a pineapple is not hard when you are just choosing it to eat. However, if you want to grow a pineapple from the one you choose, you need to be a bit pickier.
Maybe it is just me, but after many failed attempts of trying to grow a pineapple at home, the one thing I found out is that the more ripe the pineapple you choose is, the better chance of it turning into a plant later.
Now I don’t have a reason for this other to say that when I pick an almost overripe pineapple, it seems to grow. When I tried with the “normal” ripeness, it never seems to take when I plant it. Try either way and let me know if you have better results.
Prepare your Pineapple for Planting
The best part of growing your own pineapple is of course the fact that you get to eat the one you bought. Take a sharp knife and slice off the top about 3 inches below the lowest set of leaves. Remove the lowest 2 levels of leaves.
Trim off the outer portion of the pineapple top at the bottom of the crown, or stem, until you see root buds. These look like small brown spots within the fruit.
This top you sliced off is actually the part you will plant. But first, you must set it aside for a few days up to a week to dry up a bit. I have found that if you plant it right away while it is still very juicy it tends to rot, so let it dry a bit.
I simply lay it on its side on a piece of waxed paper on my kitchen counter and leave it be.
Planting your Pineapple Top
Once your “top” has dried a bit you can start to grow a pineapple plant! Just a note here, please do not let the top become completely dry and do not wait until the leaves turn completely brown or it may not grow.
The first thing you need is some good potting soil that is mixed with a bit of perlite and sand for good drainage and a pot that is a bit bigger in diameter than your pineapple top. I do not wish to transplant mine later so I use a pretty big pot from the get-go that can accommodate my pineapple plant as an adult.
I moisten my soil before planting the top. Place your pineapple top into the soil burying it in your potting soil to where the leaves start to spread out. This is normally about 2 to 4 inches above where the leaves start growing.
Do not pack the dirt tight, just cover the center. Water lightly and set in a spot with indirect light or outside as long as the temperature is above 70 degrees. The more humid and hot, the better. You should try semi-shade for the first 2 months.
Caring for Your New Pineapple Plant.
Roots should start to form in about 6 to 8 weeks. At that time it can start receiving even more light. Make sure to bring in your plant for overwintering before the first frost!
Keep in mind you must have patience. Pineapples can take up to two to three years before blossoms show, if at all. Some pineapples will never actually bear fruit. Fortunately they do make great houseplants though and can grow to 6 feet tall.
Alternative Method
Some people, when they want to grow a pineapple, choose to twist the top off of the pineapple instead of cutting it. I have a hard time twisting the top off so I prefer to slice mine.
Another difference is that some people choose to grow a pineapple top in water until roots form. I have tried this, however, every time I start my tops in water, they form roots, but when I plant them in the soil they rot.
To grow a pineapple is just like any other gardening, it is based on trial and error. Try both ways and see what works better for you.
Final Thoughts on How to Grow a Pineapple
I live in a tropical climate in central Florida. Here, the conditions are great for a much longer time than other climates to grow a pineapple. I have planted many a pineapple in the hopes for a new pineapple plant with pineapple as the reward. Sometimes I get a houseplant, sometimes I grow a pineapple.
Keep trying! Don’t give up any I promise at some point one of those are gonna take, they will bloom, and you will have a pineapple!
I remember trying this years ago, but I don’t remember the results. I’m pretty sure it never got the pineapple production phase. – Margy
Some people are lucky and some are not! Try again it is a very good feeling of accomplishment when one grows!
I have heard of this before but really only from people in Florida! We have noticed that here in middle GA, our climate is turning more tropical so I think we should give this a try!
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See ya there!
Melissa | Little Frugal Homestead
We’ve tried very unsuccessfully to grow a pineapple from the top a few times now.. maybe I’ll have to try that with a very ripe pineapple.
Sometimes I think it is just luck! Good luck and let me know if you are successful!
I recently bought a pineapple bush from the store, and I was wondering if you can plant it in the ground. Thanks in advance.
Of course but if you have cold winters bring it in and plant it in a pot!