Pineapple plants are tropical, evergreen beauties that are simple to care for and make an eye-catching addition to any home. They are known for their ornamental appeal, featuring large, glossy leaves and vibrant yellow flowers. To learn how to grow Pineapple plants, follow these tips:
- Ensure it gets plenty of bright light, as growing fruit requires lots of energy.
- Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Feed your plant once a week during the spring and summer months.
About Pineapple Plants
Pineapple plants are native to the southern United States and South America. They are recognized by their most unique feature: the pineapple itself. The fruit begins as tubular purple flowers in summer and eventually transforms into small fruits atop the plant’s sword-like leaves.
Where to Plant Pineapple
Outdoors
If you live in a warm climate with mild winters, you can grow pineapple outdoors in your garden, provided you offer 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight daily for up to three years. The best temperature range is between 68 and 84°F. Temperatures above 90°F or below 60°F can slow growth or cause frost damage. Cooler conditions tend to encourage flowering, with pineapples planted in spring blooming faster than those planted in fall.
The total growth period for a pineapple plant can extend up to 34 months. Flowers may take 16 to 28 months to appear, and fruit development typically begins about six months after flowering.
Indoors
In areas outside tropical climates, pineapples are commonly grown indoors. The care requirements are similar, though the ideal temperature range indoors is slightly lower, between 64 and 75°F, and no less than 61°F in winter. The plant will need a bright, sunny spot near a south- or southeast-facing window, along with enough space for a large pot. While indoor pineapples are usually smaller, they can still reach up to 3 feet wide and 5 feet tall. Be ready to repot the plant into larger containers as it grows. To maintain humidity, you may need to mist the leaves regularly or group the pineapple with other houseplants. Once temperatures rise to 68°F, you can gradually move the plant outdoors, exposing it to outdoor conditions a bit longer each day for a week. When temperatures drop below 60°F, it’s time to bring the plant back inside.
Methods for Growing Pineapple
Commercial growers propagate pineapples by replanting slips, suckers, or the crown of the fruit to ensure a consistent harvest. While pineapples are technically perennial, a single plant will only produce fruit up to three times before it begins to die back.
If you’re wondering how to grow pineapple at home, there are three main methods gardeners can use:
Saved or Purchased Seed
Small black seeds can either be bought online or harvested from a store-bought pineapple. These seeds need cold stratification and can be difficult to germinate. They are often not viable, though some may sprout successfully.
Purchase a Potted Plant
Pineapple plants are available for purchase at garden centers, retail outlets, and online. If you opt for a potted plant, check with the seller to ensure the fruit is edible. Some ornamental varieties are sold as houseplants or landscaping plants and may produce small, inedible fruit.
Plant a Pineapple Crown
The easiest and most reliable method is to plant the crown from a store-bought pineapple. To do this, cut the crown off with at least an inch of stem attached. Allow the crown and stem to dry for a few days, then plant it in a pot with well-draining soil. Once the roots fill the pot, repot the plant into a larger container to continue growing.
Pineapple Plant Care
Water the plant whenever the top few centimeters of soil feel dry during spring and summer, ensuring that any excess water drains away. In the winter season, keep the soil only slightly moist.
Trim off any dry or damaged leaves, and dust the plant occasionally using a soft brush. Rotate the plant from time to time to encourage even growth. Feed it with a diluted liquid fertilizer twice every week during the spring and summer and once a month in winter.
If you’re growing a pineapple for consumption, wait until the fruit turns orange-yellow and gives off a sweet fragrance before harvesting.
Harvesting Pineapple
Pineapples are ready to harvest when the bottom third of the fruit starts to change color from green to yellow or orange-yellow. The individual flower fruits will have flattened to form ‘eyes’ on the rind. A ripe pineapple will also give off a sweet aroma.
Use a sharp kitchen knife to cut the fruit from its stalk. Let it ripen fully at room temperature before refrigerating.
Problem Solving
If your pineapple plant starts to die back after fruiting, don’t worry. This is completely normal. However, keep an eye out for new shoots forming at the base.
Be patient if your plant isn’t producing a flower spike or fruit. Pineapple plants typically begin to flower at around two years of age and will produce fruit about six months afterward.
Yellowing leaves and blackening at the base usually indicate overwatering. While this can be detrimental to the plant, it’s possible to save it. Remove the plant from its pot, cut any affected roots, and replant it in new soil. Be cautious with watering moving forward; the soil should stay moist but never soggy.
If you spot mealybugs or scale insects on the leaves, gently wipe them away using cotton wool soaked in an organic insecticide made from plant oils or fatty acids.
Fungus gnats (sciarid flies) may also appear near the base of your plant, attracted by overly moist soil. To discourage them, allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
