Grow Pineapple from the top of another Pineapple that you can buy from a grocery store. It takes anywhere from 18 to 24 months to grow a pineapple from the top of another pineapple. Pineapples are tropical plants and must be kept between 65F to 85F (18C to 30C), so the best way to grow pineapples is indoors if you do not live in a tropical region.
Growing a pineapple plant from a grocery store-bought pineapple is a fun and rewarding project. Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical fruit that you can cultivate as a houseplant or, if you live in a warm climate, outdoors. Here are the steps to grow a pineapple plant from a store-bought pineapple:
Materials Needed:
- Ripe pineapple fruit
- A sharp knife
- A container with potting soil
- A sunny window or a warm, sunny outdoor location
Steps:
- Choose a Ripe Pineapple: Select a ripe pineapple from the grocery store. Look for one with healthy, green leaves and a firm, golden-colored body.
- Remove the Top:
- Carefully cut off the leafy top of the pineapple, making sure to include about half an inch of the fruit flesh attached to the leaves.
- Allow the cut top to air dry for a day or two. This step is crucial to prevent rotting.
- Prepare a Container:
- Choose a container with drainage holes. A 6 to 8-inch pot is suitable for a single pineapple top.
- Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix, preferably a mix designed for cacti and succulents.
- Plant the Pineapple Top:
- Make a small hole in the center of the potting mix.
- Place the dried pineapple top into the hole, ensuring that it sits securely.
- Gently press the soil around the base of the pineapple top to hold it in place.
- Watering:
- Water the newly planted pineapple sparingly, ensuring that the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause rot.
- Provide Sunlight:
- Pineapples require a lot of sunlight to thrive. Place the container in a sunny location. If you’re in a warm climate, they can also be grown outdoors.
- Care and Growth:
- Pineapple plants grow slowly. It may take several months for you to see noticeable growth.
- Keep an eye on the soil moisture, and water when the top layer feels dry.
- Fertilize the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.
- Repotting:
- As the pineapple plant grows, it may outgrow its container. When this happens, repot it into a larger pot.
- Patience:
- Be patient, as it can take 2-3 years or more for a pineapple plant to produce a fruit. Pineapples are tropical fruit that requires time to mature.
- Harvesting: Once your pineapple plant matures and produces a fruit, it’s ready to be harvested. The fruit will be ripe when it has a golden color and gives off a sweet pineapple fragrance.
Growing a pineapple plant from a store-bought pineapple is a delightful way to cultivate a tropical plant indoors or in a suitable outdoor location. With patience and proper care, you can eventually enjoy homegrown pineapples.
