You like pineapple and have the leaf head left? Then you can easily grow your own pineapple. You can find out how here.
Pineapples taste fruity and fresh. In addition, pineapple is said to be very healthy: The fruit contains vitamin C and minerals, is very rich in water and has only a few calories. Read more in our article about the sweet superfood pineapple.
The exotic is versatile: whether as a snack, as an ingredient in fruit salad, in dishes such as pasta salad, curry or on pizza or to refine and decorate drinks. However, pineapples are usually grown in tropical regions and thus have a long transport route behind them.
One more reason to try growing your own pineapple. The part of the fruit that you need for this – namely the leaf head – you would throw in the garbage anyway. You’ll need some patience, but it works. So here we go!
Contents
Pineapple pulling: prepare the fruit
What to consider if you want to grow your own pineapple?
- The fruit should be fresh and not spoiled, the leaves fresh and green.
- The pineapple should not be too large. A medium sized fruit is best.
- It is best to use an organic pineapple. Most often, this certification is accompanied by better quality. But not only that, organic seals stand for higher requirements and standards in cultivation and production. Unfortunately, there are currently not very many organic pineapple plantations, but a visit to the health food store around the corner is still worthwhile.
- Prefer pineapples with the Fairtrade seal. This stands for fair trade and better working conditions.
- You can grow a pineapple all year round.
A few steps are necessary for preparation:
- Cut off about three quarters of the pineapple fruit with a sharp, large knife and use it. You will be left with the leafy head with some stalk and pulp.
- In the center of the pineapple is the stalk, recognizable as a slightly lighter, round circle. Around this circle, cut off the flesh. The stalk itself remains on the leaf head. The flesh can be used or eaten as a snack. Alternatively, if you are very careful, you can twist the leaf head out of the fruit. However, you will need some strength to do this. It is important not to damage the ends.
- Optionally, you can use charcoal residue/ash to disinfect the stalk. Dip and roll the cut in it.
- Now let the cut dry for a few days (about two to three). In this way you prevent the spot from rotting. Place the plant in a warm place.
- Then carefully pull off the lowest (about ten) leaves of the leaf head. This is best done with a jerky hand movement from the bottom to the top.
- Place the prepared and dried leaf head in a glass of water. It is best if the water only touches the cut. Wait a few days to weeks until roots have formed. These should be at least five millimeters long, at best about three centimeters. Make sure there is always enough water in the jar during this time. Change the water every now and then. If the jar is too large, you can use toothpicks or similar to fix the stalk at the edge of the jar at the desired height.
Pull pineapple: Planting
It is best to use a nutrient-poor and permeable soil, such as special potting soil. A sand mixture or special potting soil for palm plants is also suitable as a substrate. Make sure that you buy peat-free soil.
The flower pot should be large enough. Also make sure that there are enough drainage holes. These prevent waterlogging, which can cause root rot.
How should you proceed when planting your own pineapple plant?
- Fill some substrate into the pot.
- Place the leaf head inside. The leaf head itself will remain exposed to the air, and the soil will start directly below it.
- Fill in more soil and press it down well.
- Water the pineapple plant properly.
- These are the ideal conditions for your own pineapple
- Since pineapple is mainly grown in the tropics, the plant needs high temperatures and high humidity. Therefore, the room temperature should be about 25 degrees Celsius and the humidity should be 60 percent. These conditions are not so easy to achieve.
Therefore, we have the following tips for you:
- Choose a bright and warm location. However, avoid the proximity to radiators as well as blazing sun.
- Place a humidifier or a bowl with water next to the plant.
- If you have a winter garden available, use this location. Alternatively, the bathroom is also suitable. However, this should ideally be bright, as the plant needs sunlight to thrive.
- You can increase the humidity and temperature for the plant by placing a plastic bag over it. This will allow the heat and humidity to accumulate. However, you should remove the bag from time to time to allow the air to circulate and prevent rotting.
- The pineapple needs little water: Watering should be done approximately every two weeks.
Pull pineapple: This is how it continues
Gradually you will notice that the leaf head forms new leaves. This is a sign that the plant is growing. If you can maintain the above conditions, your pineapple can thrive. Now it’s time to wait and see.
The first flowering will appear in a period between one and four years. The plant does not need cross-pollination as it is self-pollinating. After flowering, it takes about half a year until you can harvest the fruit. But don’t despair: until the harvest, the pineapple is a decorative green plant in your home.
You can harvest the pineapple fruit as soon as the fruiting body turns yellowish. The leaf head will die, but daughter plants will form around it. If you wish, you can cut them off and pot them.