Growing Pineapple
Wait! Instead of throwing out that pineapple top – recycle it.
A great way to continue to enjoy that delicious pineapple you just ate is to grow your own. It doesn’t take much- just time and patience. Pineapple plant is a “kitchen scrap plant” that can be started by simply rooting the crown (pineapple top) and planting it in soil. Not only will you have a decorative plant but you will also produce a sweet edible pineapple that will give you the satisfaction in knowing that you grew it yourself. It’s a great project to start with the kids!
Here is how to grow a pineapple:
Use a pineapple top (crown) with healthy, unbruised leaves. Twist or cut off the spiky top of the pineapple. Peel off about a fourth of the lower leaves to expose the stem. You will see small brown bumps that will eventually become the roots (root primordia). Leave the pineapple top in a shaded area on the kitchen counter to dry for several days and then plant it in 6 inch pot with well-drained soil. You can brush rooting hormone on the bottom to speed up rooting (optional). Firm the soil around the plant to secure it in place and water. Keep the soil slightly moist. If the environment is dry, enclose the potted plant inside a plastic bag to increase humidity and speed up rooting. If kept at 70F (21C) it should start to root within 2-4 weeks.
Root in water
Another way to grow a pineapple crown is to root it in water. Suspend the bottom of the pineapple crown in a glass of water. Change the water every few days. Roots should emerge in 2-4 weeks. Plant the rooted crown in well drained soil and keep the soil slightly moist (not wet). Move the crown to a sunny, warm (75F) humid location with night temperatures above 65F degrees. You should see new growth in about 2 months. In drier conditions, increase humidity by misting and keeping a bit of water in the center crown. When you see new growth, feed your pineapple plant with a half strength balanced fertilizer twice a month during the summer months. Another option is to use a liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion or seaweed.
Flowering and Fruiting
It can take several years for the plant to be ready to flower and bear fruit. The plant should have at least 25 normal sized leaves to be large enough to flower. If after 18 mos. you don’t see anything happening-place the plant in a plastic bag with two very ripe apples cut in half for a few days, this will release ethylene gas which will triggers their blooming stimuli. In 1-2 months you should see a red spiky bud followed by blue flowers in the center of the plant. This process can take 2-3 years but it’s worth a try just to have a novelty bromeliad to enjoy. When pineapple plants are forced to bloom too early the young plant will produce smaller fruit. For larger fruit it’s best to have a minimum of 40 mature leaves 18 inches long.
more info..http://hortchat.com/info/propagating-pineapple-plants
Hi, I just read all the above comments and everyone is missing the most important of all. Use gabrellic acid (a plant growth hormone ) to induce budding and flowering on the pineapple after it gets 18 months to 2 years old. You can also use bone meal (it contains a high phosphorus content what will also induce bud and root development in plants. Here is a link explaining the macro neutrants in ferterlizer. Read the entire article and you will learn more than all these comments. My pineapples both are only 0 months old but have 25-26 each leaves that are 16-24 inches long and I am now ready to use these treatments. Hear is the link explaining the macro nuetrants NPK. https://www.thespruce.com/what-does-npk-mean-for-a-fertilizer-2131094. copy and paste this link into your browser to get the info.
Hello, a few weeks ago I attempted to start a pineapple plant, but didn’t do any research so I ended up doing it all wrong. I didn’t take the top of the crown off or strip the stalk of the lower leaves.
After about 2-2/12 weeks, I came across this site and realized my many mistakes. I (gently) pulled the plant out of the soil and saw that the fruit portion that I was supposed to twist off was molding. I cut all that off then peeled away the lower leaves as explained in the article and now have it drying.
Did I act soon enough and does my plant have a chance to make it? It had some browning on the leaves, but way less than half way down the leaf on the worst one, and only just the tip on the best leaf.
Any advice would be great.
My Pineapple plant that I purchased has a little pineapple on it. The past couple of weeks I have noticed the new fruit was turning yellow. Now the entire fruit is yellow. What do I need to do with it? Do I just need to prune and purge the fruit and hope my plant will start another?
My pineapple plant just fell over and the stem broke but is still slightly attached can it be saved or do I need to cut the pineapple off? Please help!
Hi I’m I’m North Pole alaska. We planted two pineapple tops from Maui gold’s 20 months ago. Indoors of course. Recently the bottom leaves on the plants have turned yellow/brown. In the winter it’s around 70-80 degrees in here and we set up a grow light because we tend to not get many hours of sun. My question is how long should we keep the light on. And what is going on with the leaves browning? They have about 20-25 large leaves on each. When can we expect fruit? Can’t wait!
I have one pineapple that I have nursed for as many as 4 years. I moved about 200 miles south early this year. The plant produced a delicious pineapple that I harvested this summer. I have planted the top and two pups. What should I do with the parent plant now?
Early bloom in Fla.
It has been a couple of years since being on this site. This was the most successful year going pineapples. Due to the mild winter I was able to produce 66 pineapples this year. Now I have over 300 plants and running out of room to plant (I have to leave some room for my 2 dogs to play). Here in Florida my plant have bloomed Jan/Feb. This year they bloomed in Dec (’11). Here is my question. Have you ever heard of pineapples flowering in Sept. in FL? I just noticed I’m going to have a new pineapple last week while cutting the grass.
Wow ! You could start a pineapple company . I live in Kentucky and my plants are indoors . Our 4th pineapple since 2007 has just begun and we are so excited . It is the “child ” of the first pineapple as were the others . I’m wondering whether I should pay particular attention to soil moisture now that the “infant” is maturing . Also , our first pineapple was the sweetest but the others have been very good . I put a picture of the baby pineapple on Facebook and received many interesting comments .
I live in Central Florida and have 5 pineapples in the ground ranging from 2 years to several months old. They were doing fine but now the leaves are yellowing. We had some cold weather with nights in the 40sF; and recently they have been mid 50s to mid 60s. Is the yellowing due to the temperature? They are in sandy soil that was enriched with bought compost when planting. We are in the dry season and have not had rain for a month or two, however, the soil isn’t completely dried out due to the low temps and very dewy nights. Thanks.
I live in Central Florida and have 5 pineapples in the ground ranging from 2 years to just a few months. They have been growing well however the leaves have started to turn yellow. We have had cooler temps (especially at night) and I’m wondering if this will cause them to yellow. The soil is sandy, however, I added a generous amount of organic matter when planting.
i have 5 pineapples with a similar problem. i will be interested to read if anyone with knowledge replies to your question.
Brown leaves on pineapple
Hey I live in south Georgia and I have planted my pineapple top in a shallow pot. I followed all the steps people listed and planted it and let the soil stay
Moist. The leaves have started turning brown and I do not see any new growth. Did I kill it already help!!!
Fertilizer
What kind of fertilizer do I need to use on my pineapple plant to promote my plant flowering?
I brought some pineapples back from Hawaii this summer and planted one in my garden in the back yard. I didn’t realize though I should have that they are going to be so cold sensitive. I will tey covering the plant with blankets when the cold does hit and only uncover when the sun comes out. I would however like to know what fertilizers are best and is it good to put iron on them like I do the rest of my plants?
I purchased a potted pineapple plant that had already gone to fruit. I am about to pick in a day or so. My question is… once the fruit is picked what can I expect? Is the plant going to die, will it grow another one?
thanks in advance
White pineapples
We have white pineapples growing.. they are the sweetest and I think they are the best.
I live in Hawaii, lucky me, and I just take the keikis(babies) that grow from the side of the fruit ( they look like miniature plants) after the pineapple has been hafvested, pull off some of the bottom leaves and stick them in the ground. I plant them about 18 inches apart so that they can hold each other up ( Bert and Ernie) when they have heavy fruit on them… YUM!!! They take anywhwere from 18 months to a year to eat.. My mother always said on day I would need to develop some patience. She was right again:)
I must be extremely lucky. I have grown six pineapple plants from the fruit I have eaten. I did not follow any of the traditional steps used to grow a new plant. I cut the leafy head off of the fruit and planted in a pot with potting soil and watered it daily. Two are already producing fruit.
Glenn, I did pretty much the same thing. Some of my plants are 2 yrs old but none have fruited as yet… I live in OK, where are you? I bring them in for the winters and back out for the summers.
I was talking to a professional gardner and he had some very young pineapple plants that already had fruit on them. I asked him how he got them to fruit so early and he said he sprayed them with something that made them fruit more quickly. He said it was also used to get Poinsettias to bloom in Dec. He would not tell me what he was using, said it was a professional secret. Do you know what it was?
When to harvest pineapple
How can I tell when it is time to pick my pineapple?
I bought a small pineapple plant @ home depot @ least 3 years ago. I put the pineapple top in water & its looked exactly the same only with very large roots. Will it grow fruit if I plant it in dirt now?
Citrus from seed
In response to the question of growing oranges, or any other citrus from seed, it will grow the plant, but will not likely fruit, at least not for many years. Same is true with many fruit trees, including one of the most popular pit seeds to germinate, which is the avocado. Also, many fruit trees occurring (volunteers)naturally, will need both sexes in relatively close proximity to produce fruit.
Most citrus trees that I know of that are locally/privately grafted here in central Florida, at least by the old timers I know, use the root stock from lemon.
I started my pineapple in water over four weeks ago but do not see any roots as of yet. I change the water every few days does it matter where I have it ? I HAVE IT ON MY KITCHEN WINDOW WHERE SUN GETS AT IT DAILY THE LEAVES ARE TURNING BROWN DOES THAT MATTER OR CAN I SPRAY THEM WITH WATER?THANKS MAMIE
how do you cut a mango having problems with the pit being so large Thanks Mamie
Loquat from seed
my family in Wisc started a Loquat from seed they gave it to me in December. its about 8inches tall I put it outside on my Lanai but am afraid to put in the sun directly the leaves are brittle and some are turning brown from being inside I live in Ocala Florida do you have any suggestions ? THANKS
Thank you, you sure have been helpfull 🙂
You’re welcome. Have fun with your pineapple plant. If it doesn’t work the first time, don’t be discouraged, try again.
Im starting my pineapple but I read after you cut it and remove the bottom leaves you should let it dry a couple days before putting in water does it matter which way it is done? Thanks
Grow oranges from seeds
can you grow oranges from the seeds we just bought sugar baby oranges they are so sweet and delicious is it possible?
Pineapple in Fla.
I heard about growing pineapples I live in Ocala Florida can you suggest anything unusaul that I would need to know. After the plant bears its fruit will it eventually grow another fruit or is this a one time thing Thanks
Well my Maui Gold Pineapple is almost two years old now, so I’m getting excited to see the shoot coming out the with budding flowers. It is four feet across and three feet tall. It is so big because it is right next to my compost pile. One of my plants died with root-rot and a dead heart. The one that had two babies growing out of it, the mother plant died long ago, but I finally pulled the babies off. Gave one to a friend who said that it is getting big and fast. The second baby after letting it get some more roots in a jar of water, I just put back into the ground today. My other two Tropical Gold Pineapple plants are doing very good as well. They are not so big as my Maui Gold, but they are very healthy.
Great news. My pineapple is also in bloom.
Pineapple from seed
how long does it take to grow pineapple from seed. I make smoothies and i have found seeds in the bottom of the cup and thought about planting them but it seems as if it would take a lot longer to grow from seed.
I potted a pineapple top in April and it has sprouted three new plants. I will need to move the plant inside as it is too cold in N. Fl. to leave outside. Should I seperate the slips now or wait until spring?
We had a baby pineapple get knocked off it’s momma- I am thinking I should just lopt the fruit off and plant the top. Anyone done this before?
Grow in Texas panhandle
I live in the Texas panhandle and just planted a pineapple this spring. It already has 12 to 14 inch leaves. We’ve kept it outside all summer and now that fall is here I’m not sure when I should bring it in. Do pineapples survive if planted outside in Texas?
Grow pineapple in Fla.
I decided to do somthing diiferent then facebook lol, so I planted my first pineapple! I live in Ocala Florida is there any good advice for how i should care for the pineapple over time? Iv’e seen people comment saying they Re-pot theres every so often. how often should i Re-pot?
Grow pineapple in FLA
Update.
Mother Nature threw me a curve ball this year. Pineapples started blooming in late March early April here in FL so I figured they would be ripening about Sept. To my surprise they started ripening about mid July. They have been so sweet. I have 30 this year and so far we have eaten 10. I’m hoping to have 200 plants in the ground by the end of the summer. I have 178 as of right now. Hope everyone else is enjoying the fruits of their labor as much as I am.
How far south are you in Florida? I am growing pineapple in northern Florida and bring them in each winter. They haven’t produced fruit so I am trying to induce fruiting by placing them in plastic bags with cut up apple. Have you found success with this method?
Just plant the seed in a location that has a North South breeze and at least 8 hours of sunlight. Or you can start it in a pot of soil similiar to what you are doing with the Mango.Another option is to buy a seedling from Home Depot. I paid $19 for my tree back in 2000.
I’m so glad we don’t have such humidity here. Bananas are great. I am growing my first mango from a mango pit/seed. It just sprouted it’s first leaf. I gotta do something while I wait another 2+ years for another pineapple to grow.
Will high humidity affect the taste of the pineapple? I would like to grow a mango but I need to know how big they get?
2010/07/28 at 3:22pm Boualoy
I don’t think so…it’s pretty humid in Hawaii and Florida were the pineapples come from in the US. I’ve seen small mango trees and large mango trees. Some say you can grow it in your house, but others say they get too large. I’m just doing it for fun. If it bares fruit I’ll be happy.
Submitted on 2010/07/28 at 7:41pm Eddie
Okay. I have a mango on hand. You should try your hand at peaches.
Looks like it won’t let my last post be listed because of a link. I used a website for how to grow a mango tree, but ended up with trial and error. I’ve tried it the way they say taking the husk off and planting the lima bean like seed inside and it’s worked, but I also opened the husk without taking the seed out and it took. Just put it in the dirt and see what happends.
Hi Eddie,
The mango pit took about 1 1/2 to sprout and then a stem grew from the bottom growing uplong the seed to the top. Here is the website I used to figure it out. It was trial and error figuring out if I put the pit right side up or not. http://www.plantea.com/mango-houseplant.htm
Winter care
This is the first time I’m growing pineapple in Missouri. I put two tops in a rectangular flower box back in May as an attempt to lure squirrels away from my tomato and other plants. Back in June I noticed that the tops haven’t turned brown but instead show new growth. Are there any hints on keeping the plants alive in winter. Such as lighting,amount of water,and temperature? When is it time to repot?
I have several plants started in pots and want to plant them in the ground. How far apart should they be? I live in FL but a little far north but want to try anyway.
Hi Leland
Plant your pineapple plants at least 24″ apart to allow room for growth.
Fruit size
I started to grow my pineapple plant about 3 years ago. It finally starting to produce fruit…in March and the pineapple is about 3 inched not including the top. I read that it takes 10 months for the fruit to mature. Is my pineapple just a baby one or will it stay little.
Thank you so much…it has grown, but as of 7.21.10…we had a theif steal rip it right off the plant. I am so bummed. I have some new growth…so i figure in about 2.5 years I will see another one and will have to wait and see just how delicious it could have been.
Submitted on 2010/07/27 at 8:19am
I repotted mine every spring. I also grow plumeria and ended up using the same type of soil (cactus succulent soil) and it’s been great.