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
From the reader archive
Useful reader questions
PICKING THE FRUIT How do I remove the fruit when it is ready and not harm the entire plant? When the fruit starts to turn yellow/orange cut the pineapple off the stem that it is on, at the base of the pineapple.…
Read Jim discussionI’m in S. Florida, zone 10A. My plant has produce a huge pineaple (just picked yesterday) that is as large as the largest pineapple I have ever seen in the grocery store. It flowered in January after being planted from the crown…
Read Peter discussionPropagating slips Hello to all ! I`m pretty sure I`ve read all of the questions and comments on this wonderful site , but I didn`t see the answer to my question ,unless it was an oversite . I`ve planted several tops from…
Read Annie discussionFertilizing pineapple plant What fertilizer are you talking about when used on the pineapple plant? Pineapple generally don’t need a lot of fertilizer. Fertilize lightly once a month at the peak growing season (Summer) and every 2-3 months during the winter. You…
Read Howard discussion
I’ve neglected to fertilize during the spring this being my first time, do water about once a week. Does this have a bearing on the production of fruit?
don’t the pineapples need to be fertilized? it sounds like they just produce a fruit by themselves, if it is so do you know why?
Rooting pineapple plant
ive been growing a pineapple plant for two years in ohio comes inside for winter. if it doesnt fruit by itself this summer i will force it. its a neat looking plant and i disagree with letting the top of the pineapple after its removed to dry for two days. i have started a dozen plants and shipped them all over the country to my friends i removed the top and placed it in water immediately for 10 days changing water daily then placed them in a pot 90 % rooted with this method
I have a pineapple plant that has a pineapple on it. In the last few days it has turned red. Why would this happen?
What is the appropriate water schedule, through the soil or in the spines
PICKING THE FRUIT
How do I remove the fruit when it is ready and not harm the entire plant?
Michael
I started rooting a crown about a year ago, then potted it a month later. Mid-summer, it sprouted a fruit. Now, the fruit is still smaller than an orange, but has turned yellow-orange. Should I pick the fruit? The plant is less than 24inches in diameter.
Carol Martin ( xworkers@bellsouth.net / ) (IP: 74.225.102.105 )
I have a pineapple plant with a pineapple on it. I live in S. Florida. How do I know when it is time to pick the pineapple? The last one, I waited too long and the squirrels beat me to it.
Julie ( jdanam@yahoo.com / )
My little pineapple is ripe and ready to eat. Where do I remove it from the plant? Do I cut off the stock it grew on? The rest of the plant is really healthy…I don’t see any new shoots. Do I leave the plant, without the stock or with the stock? I plan on using the new crown for a new plant. Not bad for growing a plant inside, in Seattle area. I was really surprised I got a fruit…just planted the top for fun! Thank you for your help.
I would like to find out a little more info about growing a pineapple indoors, I live in Northern Idaho. I need to know what the best sized pot to put it in for the best results. I have never done this before & so I am a little lost, I have a small pineapple already & it is about the size of my pinky finger not including the top & it has 2 small plants growing next to the base of the plant. Any suggestions would be great! Thank You.
Fertilizing pineapple plant
What fertilizer are you talking about when used on the pineapple plant?
subtroppo ( millima2001@yahoo.com.au / ) (IP: 203.213.7.131 )
I too have just picked my first 2 fruit– small but good, but took 3 years. Want to know what fertiliser is best,as i wish to produce more and better; do they need phosphorus..thks for the good advice i’ve read re using the pups.
Plant tip
I live in S. Florida – very hot and humid. For fun, stuck a couple of tops into 5 gallon black plastic pots no more than 2 1/2 years ago. Good dirt, 1/3 home-made compost. Have 13 PINEAPPLES NOW of various ages. Some huge! Basically I have just let them alone. Very rare watering or fertilizing. They get water from heavy humidity dew. I’m strictly an amateur, but from one plant (pot) alone 2 very large and 2 developing fruits. Suspect it’s the compost. Try it! My “rookie” opinion: let ’em alone! Don’t kill them with kindness.
Live in central Indiana. Bought a plant from Meijer’s. The plant is about 13 inches tall, and had a small fruit. Noticed after putting it outside the fruit was hanging over. Put a support for it. One week later the fruit was laying over. Picked the fruit and am rooting it in water. The whole center was rotten. The leaves just fell out. What happened? Never watered it from above. Will the plant put up another plant? Please give me some advice on taking care of these plants. Thanks.
I’m a novice grower in Massachusetts who has never had much luck with plants. I have a cursed brown thumb, or perhaps I’m just suffering from “curiosity killed the cat” syndrome. I bought a pineapple today and popped the top into a glass of water. After searching for info, I came across this site and tore some of the leaves off to expose the stem. I’m still concerned though, as my experience is telling me to put the poor thing out of the eventual misery I’m apt to put it in. Any advice for a novice who just wants the darn thing to stay alive? Thanks!
Here in Indiana it has been 50 degrees at night. What is the lowest temp the plants can take?
Brown & yellow leaves
I have a pineapple plant that is nearly 3 yrs. old it hasn’t beared any fruit yet. The bottom leaves are turning brown and yellow as if it is dying. What can I do to keep the other leaves from turning colors. The plant is being keep inside since the temps. have gotten colder. The top of the plant looks healthy right now.
Mini pineapple
I live in the UK and have managed to buy a young pineapple plant by the name of Ananas nanus, Its comeing from malaysia and the leaves look spikey and quite leathery! would you be so kind as to tell me a little about what you know of the plant
Brown leaf tips
Hi. I’ve had my pineapple planted for about 16 months and it’s really small (about 1.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide). Also the leaves have been turning more and more brown over the past few months and even completely dying from the tips and moving down- there’s dead brown area on as much as 6 inches on the bigger leaves. Any advice?
Grow pineapple in Atlanta
Hi from just South of Atlanta. New to pineapple plants. I would like to permanently plant mine outside, next to my brick house. They would have a Southern exposure and would benefit from the passive solar heat from the sun on the brick in the winter. Has anyone done that? What is the coldest temp. that pineapples can tolerate and survive? Also, I live on an old poultry farm that has chicken litter in old barns that is very aged – about 10 years. Can I use that in the form of a “tea” to fertilize my plants? I’m excited to get going at this!
I live in Hawaii and growing pineapples is no problem. They’re big and sweet. In fact, too sweet and mild. Is there something I could add to the soil to give them a little more bite?
Leaf tips turning brown
I planted 50 pineapples a year ago. A little crazy yes. I’m down to 7 plants. They are difficult to keep alive. Some die for no apparent reason. My question. They have been grown under lights all winter, and a few weeks ago, put them outside. The leaves are turning brown from the outside in. I live in zone 5, and the temps have been in the low 40s and 50s for the past month of may. Finally, the past few days the temps have returned to normal. Do you have a place I can send a picture, so you can determine what is wrong? Thanks.
I’m in S. Florida, zone 10A. My plant has produce a huge pineaple (just picked yesterday) that is as large as the largest pineapple I have ever seen in the grocery store. It flowered in January after being planted from the crown of a “Dole Extra Sweet” (grocery store bought) 14 months earlier. Fruit took 5 1/2 months from flower to ripe. Plant is almost 6′ in diameter and 2 suckers developed while the fruit grew. It was in semi shade (40% direct sun) under a Papaya Tree and near a Mango tree. It was fertilized mostly with wood ash, but may have also benefitted from the runoff from a nearby home made composter (during heavy rains). The soil was never dry as it was mulched and even in the winter, watered weekly. I am no expert, I had no expectations whatsoever when planting crown, but this certainly worked well for me. Plant is still vigorous and healthy. Will replant one sucker and let the other produce a second fruit. Have not eaten the pineapple yet, but will post as to it’s taste/quality when I do.
Are my results unusually good considerring the 40% shade, relatively moist soil and short time from crown to fruit?
My fruit bearing pineapple plant received too much water. All of the leaves wilted and so far have not perked back up. What should I do?
How do I know whether I have an ornamental pineapple growing or one I can eat? I have two plants that both produced a pineapple- one the fruit has a very large crown relative to the size of the fruit. The other has a little larger fruit, that I need to pick. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a ornamental pineapple!
Grow in water
I started a pineapple plant last August in water. I still haven’t put it into soil yet, it has many roots and looks to be healthy still. Will it affect the plant and its fruit(if it ever produces any) in a negative way by not having put it in soil yet?
I have a Bromeliad in a pot, which I bought over a year ago. It has grown a “sucker” which is now the same size as the mother plant. Should I leave it as is with the mother? Or should it be separated into another pot? What steps can I take for it to bloom like the orig? Any special instrns to grow these plants, would be helpful. Your site is a godsend for someone like I who knew nothing about plants, & turn to your site for info- great advice, very simple & concise instrns, have made me enjoy my houseplants!
Thanks!
I am just going out to try the rum on one of my pineapple plants, hope that it works.
great site. I have 3 pineapple plants growing, one is 2 years old and is bearing fruit, the other 2 are younger but they are all turning yellow what could be causing that. they are all outside and I live in north west Florida
I love your web site. I am growing my 2nd pineapple plant. It is about 3 1/2 ft tall and about the same wide. It also has a pup about 1ft tall. The leaves started to turn yellow, after reading thru your site I have decided that the nights have been to cold and maybe that’s why the leaves are turning. I have brought it inside to a south window. As big as it is do you think it will bloom this year?
I have a pineapple growing since about June and is growing good, but is still green, do I need to give it exta light ( a grow light). I live in Minnesota. The pineapple has tipped over, and I have staked it up. Your response would be appreciated.
Watering schedule
Growing Pineapple
everyone keeps telling to water weekly. summers in hawaii are stronger. water how much weekly. my plant i think has been watered too much because it’s turned yellow but show some light green.
so, water a cupful? what? how much water ?
I started growing a pineapple plants about 2 years ago in a hanging basket pot. I got my first fruit this year, which was normal size and quite tasty. I have about 12 plants, all in large pots now, my questions is will it take the pups 2 to 3 years to produce fruit also. Last year I put about 4 tops in soil and they just reproduced a lot of pups this is how I got so many plants.
Separate pups from mother plant
My first pineapple plant i have gotten 8 pineapples, not bad for someone who kills artiffictial flowers. It is nothing for me to have 4 and 5 pups on a plant with a fruit. I have read to cut off pups and replant, but where do i cut, how far up or down close to the mother, do i cut straight or a an angle? any an all info whould be loved. Also they are in pots, never in the ground because where i live is rented and what goes in the ground stays.fruit really sweet, some large some small,{eat your heart out Dole} thanks again. oh 1 more thing, watered once a week ,sat on edge of carport and turned 1/4 every week to make sure os even sun. yes going to extreme.
I wrote you back in November 0f 08′. This is January and I am just so excited. My Pineapple plant has a flower down in the cup. It isn’t very big yet but you can tell it’s the start of a flower. How long will it take before it will appear ?
I have 4 pineapple plants. I live in Illinois and I have found it quite easy to grow them. I leave them out in the summer and bring them in and keep them under grow lights in the winter. My oldest plant is 6 years and has yet to produce a pineapple plant. I have tried the apple in a bag trick and it didn’t work I was going to try the calcium carbide trick next unless anyone has a better suggestion.
To grow my plants I just cut off the top of the pineapple leaving a little bit of fruit attatched. Then I just lay the top on a paper plate and let them sit for a few to several days depending on when I get them planted in dirt.
I have 4 potted plants that froze about 1 1/2 months ago. All the leaves have turned yellow and the tips are brown and willting. I am considering planting them in the flower bed with the mother plant. It is currently looking very healthy and has 4 runners growing out of it. The 4 potted plants were also runners that I cut off this past summer. Should I trim the leaves off and try to transplant them or am I wasting my time? Thanks! BTW I live 30 miles north of Tampa, Florida.
A friend of mine who lives in flordia gave me a very sweet pineapple about 2 yrs ago.I planted the top, and to my surprise its doing very well. As a matter of fact its still growing new leaves although its winter time here (NY). I think its because my apartment is so warm. My problem is I have no where to plant outdoors. Can it still produce a pineapple indoors? Please help
I started planting pineapple from fruits bought at the grocery store a few years ago. I live in South Florida. I just cut off the top of a pineapple and put it in a big pot with organic soil. I leave the plant grow without doing anything to it besides watering once in a while. (I even forgot to protect my plants from the cold nights we’ve recently had). Two of them are showing sign of a flower.I have two planted directly in the garden. They are not growing as much as the three I have in pots.
The fruits are smaller than the original fruits. However, they taste better.
Cold damage
pineapple plants were not covered the first night of low 30 temps but covered since here in central florida.the leaves look damaged. do i watch and wait? what will indicate they are going to survive and what care should i do now.
Drought
My pineapple were doing very well with deep green leaves but all of a sudden the leaves have turned yellowish it’s been exposed to high sunshine for some few month now, and since i rely on rain fall for watering. The dry season has made it imposible for any waterin for 3 month now. could it be the too much sun light or the abscence of watering which is causing the yellowing?
White spots on leaves
My two pineapples were growing well until this winter. They now have white blotchy spots on the leaves and the leaves are starting to rot and die back, I have had to cut the leaves back severely, I am losing more leaves daily. Can you please tell me what is causing this and how can I fix the probem. Thank you.
Are the pineapple plant indoors or outside? Have they been exposed to cold temps?
Pick pineapple early
You can pick up the pineapples before they a fully ripe and they will keep on ripening, I have done this many times, I need to get to the pineapples before the possums do. I live in south Florida and I have been growing pineapples for a few years, last year I got almost 50 pineapples, and they are all delicious.
Hi,
I have about 10 pineapple plants between 2-3 years old that were doing fine until the frost hit us in FL. Now the leaves are mainly dead but there is growth in the center. What is the best way to salvage the plants or have I lost them? One plant I cut the leaves off – but it is now a huge stalk with green in the center but if you touch it – the center part immediately pulls out and base looks a bit rotten.
Cold injury
This is great!
I have many Pineapple Plants, but, I currently have a few that have developed red and yellow leaves. The centers are still green. I tried adding Iron last week. Has not seemed to make a difference.
We had a cold winter would that make a difference. I live in Florida. They are always outside.
Thanks
I potted a ” from a bromeliad I had grown into a beautiful plant the same size as it’s original mother plant. Wanting it to bloom, I placed it in a plastic bag in the dark for a week- but I used cut slices of an apple, instead of a whole apple. 3wks later, the leaves are bleached brown from the inside out & it almost looks as if the plant is dying on me! Did I kill it with the cut slices?? I had also placed the plant near a brightly lit window, but have now moved it further into the room where it originally was. Is there any way to save this one? It looks decidedly unhealthy, but I’m hoping I can still salvage it! Pls help!!
I live in Phoenix valley Arizona and I was informed by numerous sources that pineapples would not grow well outdoors due to the cold nights in winter and extreme heat in the summer. However I ignored them and planted anyway. I now have four plants started two of them are two feet tall and three feet across. They seem to like the hot dry weather in the summer and I have seen frost form on the leaves in the winter with no visible effects. I water with soaker hose from my current watering system along with the rest of the plants and use miracle grow fertilizer three times during the summer. As reading this page I realized that I may be doing everything wrong but my plants are doing great. Am I a pioneer in growing these things in the valley or just lucky?
I live in the Netherlands (EU) and will have my 4th pineapple this summer! 1 plant i have for over 3 years is over 3 feet high! After having one pineapple i got enthousiastic…(Pineapple was very sweet) I have about 20 plants at the moment.I heard these plants need extra iron, now i am experimenting with some old nails in the pineapple-wateringcan!
I have a very sunny livingroom were the plants are in wintertime and in the summer the all stand in a sunny garden.Nice website!! keep up the good work.
About a week ago I started a pineapple top in water and I am impatiently wait for roots to form! My question is when it is time to pot the thing is it better to put it in a larger or smaller planter? Also I have “cactus mix” potting soil that I use for my aloe plant (which is on its last leg, I might add.) is this mix appropriate for a pineapple? And one last thing I’d like to throw out there for people wondering about back yard pests…I live at the base of the Appalachian Mountains, we get all sorts of creatures looking for a yummy treat. Several “home” remedies for this problem are passed down and to be honest a little strange, but there is one that is pretty consistant…human hair. If you sprinkle a little human hair in your plants or around your garden, the animals will leave it alone. I think it is the human scent, but the old folks will tell you it’s a little bit of mountain voodoo. 🙂 Whatever, it seems to work. Some of you may be wondering how to obtain this treasure…I just take a baggie to the hairdresser with me and swallow my pride and ask for it. Generally he rolls his eyes but does it anyway and no furry critters eat my stuff. I know…it’s odd.
A little over three years ago, I rooted and planted my pineapple top from a pineapple that I bought and ate from the grocery store. Since then, it seemed to have split and produced two small (twin) plants and two small baby pineapples. I have not divided the ball or re-potted the plants due to the fear that if I did, I might lose both plants and the pups. Recently, I placed the plant outside to take advantage of the warm weather we’ve been having, and the leaves started to turn yellow-green. The pups didn’t seem to be affected. I immediately brought the plant back inside. The leaves, although yellow-green, are not drooping yet . The weather outside was 80 degrees or above. What did I do wrong? Is it too late? What can I do to help my plant thrive and get better?
My question is.. my pineapple tree took 3 years to start growing a pineapple… and now its been like a month and it is already the size of my hand. (sooo happy 😀 )… But how long does it take for it to be ripe?
I too live in Hawai’i, and it sounds like the pineapple that you have if you have not found out already is of the sweet variety also known as “Gold.” Tropical Gold, Sweet Gold, and Maui Gold are the common pineapples out here. If you want a more bitter pineapple, find a mainland grown pineapple for those do tend to have more acid.
The Maui Gold Pineapple as I’ve learned and experienced are sweet like candy, and very delicious.
I just started my Pineapple, a couple weeks after finding out how to grow them from the crown. Me and my wife bought a Maui Gold, and just cut it yesterday so I kept the crown and prepared the stem by removing the flesh and gently pulling off the bottom leaves up to an inch and half of the stem. I did not let it dry out, but placed it strait in the water, and now less then twenty-four hours later, it already has tiny hairs of roots showing that were not there yesterday. I’m so happy.
By the way, I live on the island of o’Ahu so I don’t have to worry about keeping my pineapple inside. Going to plant it directly outside into some soil I’m already readying for my pineapple, with a lot of mulch directly mixed into it.
I have been growing pinapple plants and getting fruit from them for years. A few years ago a friend of my husbands brought over a differnt looking plant white with little green in it very prickely and said it was from Austrelia. He stated it may or may not get fruit as there has to ba a male and female plant? It is a very beautiful plant. Oddly this year it bloomed fruit. It is red and has many different sprouts from that bloom. I am not sure if this is one that can be eaten or is more decorative. I am not sure when to pick it if it is eatable. It has layers and layers of leaves almost like a bush, unlike a regular pineaple plant. Any help you can give would be appreciated. CG from Florida.
Propagating slips
Hello to all ! I`m pretty sure I`ve read all of the questions and comments on this wonderful site , but I didn`t see the answer to my question ,unless it was an oversite . I`ve planted several tops from pineapples we`ve eaten (all over the past year) and the first ever planted has produced a fruit on the stalk ….. I am so-o-o excited ! It showed a round ball down in center of plant and didn`t take long for it to sprout up on a stalk and flower!Yaye! then “Voila”! a pineapple! but as I have been involved with other “Bromeliads” over the years the new babies have always come from around the bottom,base,outer edge of the mother plant. This pineapple has babies growing straight out of the stalk,high-up,just under the pineapple fruit. Looks like ears sticking straight out and are exactly the layered look of “just the top” foliage of the fruit, like the part you plant to make a new plant. I feel silly asking but considering this is normal and I`m just not aware of this …. how do I propagate these to make new plants? I don`t see any roots…. yet …. or maybe it`s just too soon ? Thank You , annieQ
Two topics:
1. My pineapple is about a year old. It is about a foot to a foot and a half tall and healthy, but doesn’t seem to have grown much in the past month. I’m guessing it needs a bigger pot. I have a 12 inch diameter pot I am planning on moving it into, does that sound like a good size? Will it need a bigger pot after this, or is that sufficient? What’s the best way to dig it out of its current pot? I don’t want to hurt the roots, and it is in a clay pot.
2. When it fruits and grows a pup, does the pup need to be rooted in water like with a top?
From what I have seen from Bromeliads and Pineapples out here, that is normal. I think you treat them as another sprout and cut them when they are about half the hight of the mother plant. Kris can most likely give you better information on this one. Good luck.
Thanks Valex!
Propagating slips
Hi again . I`m sorry to have to write again so soon, but I actually meant to include this question in my first email. Another question that crossed my mind about my particular situation is, since the “new shoots” or “suckers” are directly under the calex of the plant very close to the fruit,could they (the suckers) possibly be draining the life away from the fruit before it gets to the fruit? or would it be possitive or detrimental to remove the suckers now so the strength goes into the fruit ? I also think there is another sucker forming one notch (segment)lower than the ones already there . Thank you again ! annieQ
I recently moved my 1-year-old pineapple plant back outside for the summer (we have had some cold nights so I kept it inside for a while), and it has been very sunny and hot. After one especially hot day, i noticed some pale parts on the younger leaves. They aren’t necessarily spots, they are bigger than that, but they are pale splotches in the middle of the leaves. The outsides have a few spots that look like they were burned. I’m guessing it is sunburn. I’m worried about my plant, will these burns kill the young leaves? Why, if it is such a sun-loving plant, is my Ohio sun damaging it’s leaves? I’ve moved it into the shade and am hoping that will help nurse it back to health. What have I done wrong and what can I do differently? It was only getting direct light in the afternoon.
Moving it to the shade is the right thing to do for it was getting sunburned. Even though the pineapple is a sun loving plant, moving it from a place where it was darker for awhile and then moving it outside into direct sunlight put the plant into a slight shock and gave it sunburn. When moving any plant from inside to outside, you need to first have it within some shade so it can adjust to the new light. Just like us, it needs to adjust to a new enviroment. I hope this helps. Your plant will survive and heal, just let it rest in the shade for a few days outside before you move it directly into the yard under the sun.
Well said..Thanks
Hey! I bought a pineapple plant a couple years ago and planted it and I also started one by cutting the top of a pineapple off from the grocery store. Now I have 3 pineapple plants, one bearing fruit, and 2 new little shoots coming up. I’m having problems with some pesky flies tho. They are tiny tiny flies and they make white flaky webs on the undersides of my pineapple leaves and they are drying the leaves out and killing them. They havent killed any of my plants, just some of the leaves are drying out and dying. They are grown in pots on my porch. I’ve tried spraying bleach water under the leaves and flaking off their webs but I cant seem to get all of them….they like to attack my tomato and plumeria plants too, but they havent messed with my oregano or a couple others I got out there. Any idea what this pest might be and what I can do to get rid of them?
It sounds like possibly White Flies. I’m not sure for I don’t know the regions these little pests thrive in. Out here soap water is a good killer of these pests. You can also go to your local Wal-Mart or grocery store and find a natural insecticide. I have one called Insect Killing Soap by Safer Brand. It works pretty good on all our pests and it has a seaweed extract. You can try that. I hope this helps.
My dog jumped on my outdoor pineapple plant and knocked the fruit off. It wasn’t ripe yet. Will it ripen if I just let it site outside or does anyone know a good way to ripen pineapple?
*Flower to fruit
I HAVE A 3 1/2 YEAR OLD PINEAPPLE PLANT THAT HAS JUST FLOWEREED TO FRUIT THIS SPRING. THE FRUIT SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED GROWING AND THE LITTLE DIAMONDS ON THE SIDES ARE NOW BLACKENING, ALTHOUGH NO SIGN OF ROT. JUST VERY DARK. HOW DO I KNOW WHEN IT IS RIPE. IT IS NOT FRAGRANT AND NOT ORANGE AT ALL.
I wrote after the severe frosts we had in Florida – that it looked like my plants had died. I made the mistake of digging up one of the best plants as the center part had rotted and fallen out. On a whim, I left a few other plants which had also lost their center and today these plants each have a strong and healthy (about 6 inches high) plant that has grown out of side of the one that died. I was very encouraged for this shows the roots were not damaged – just because a plant appears to be dead – doesn’t mean it actually is. Two of the other plants have nice little pineapples growing on them!
So hang in there when you have problems – the pineapples seem to be quite resilient plants. 🙂
Hello,
I live in Chicago and started growing a pineapple I purchased while on my honeymoon in Hawaii about 2 years ago. It has never produced a fruit and has gone through a couple of winters with no problems. The transition from winter to spring this year did not appear to be as kind. Ever since spring my pineapple’s lower leaves have become yellowish (loosing the dark green color) toward the base and have become very droopy. Also, the leaves underneath have started to become brown (not all over but spotty). I thought maybe it had out grown its pot (as it has done twice in the past), so I repotted it. This has not fixed the problem, and I am now fearing the worse.
Can my pineapple be saved? Please help I am quite desperate to save it!
Hi Scott
Some brown lower leaves are common. I get those on my pineapple plant and eventually pull them off. What kind of soil did you repot your pineapple in. It should be loose, well-drained. A good potting soil is important as well as good drainage as pineapples do not like “wet feet”. One site recommends adding a 1/2 inch of coarse gravel into the bottom of the pot before adding soil. When your plant improves, try forcing it to bloom in the winter.
Hi! I am an avid pineapple grower on the East coast of Fl. Mine grow on a sand ridge near the Indian River. I can’t even count how many I have and I am everyone’s best friend when the fruit ripens. I have one question though…At what age do the plants stop producing, or do they just skip a year sometimes? (hmmm reads like 2 questions!) I particularly like my pineapples with the mangoes we grow with a drizzle of honey. mm mmm!
I know this may be late in responding, but give your pineapple more time. They are resilient plants. What possibly could have happened was a little over-watering on accident. I’m not sure on this one and Kris would most likely be able to give an idea as to what is happening to your plant.
Hi there,
I’ve just into pineapple planting stuff. I planted a crown a couple of years ago. And it grows to almost 4ft in diameter and more that 2ft in height. But it does not fruit or flower yet.
It was stuck in water for almost a month due to flood but it stills remain healthy. Some leaves turns reddish or brown.
This lately I decided to put it in the higher place. And it is now ok. With this big pineapple plants, how can I make it fruit faster? The plant is almost 2 yrs old now and it is really huge.
Thank you guys and I love this site and it really are helpful. By the way I am from Philippines.
Thanks in advance.
Just must share this with all ……. I have just picked and eaten my first ever pineapple and it was great ! What a thrill !
Thanks for all the help and comments over the last few months .
It took a year from planting to bear fruit and another 8 months untill it was ready to pick . I have several more plants growing and can`t wait to see what they bring ! They are all individuals .
Thank you again …….. AnnieQ
Hiya i have a pineapple plant which i just purchased (I live in the UK), i bought it cheap because nobody seems too know what the problem with it is, its currently got a pineapple growing on it, but all the leaves have got brown tips and some leaves are brown half way from tip to base, can you help me, is this normal do i need to cut the brown bits off. hope to hear from you soon. many thanks dan p.s i can send ou a picture if you want to see.
Hey I was wondering what fruit is the one in the picture under the heading. Please let me know. Thanks.
Did you buy yours as plants or grow them from a pineapple you bought? I am in Phx and thinking about growing one. Do you get fruit from yours?
Do you know when Kris will be available? I stopped watering as much I had been (about once a week now), and now the tips of the leaves are beginning to turn brown and limp! My poor pineapple needs some massive TLC, I just don’t how to give it?
Please Help!
Thanks I will try that. I ended up using a cactus soil while also adding gravel to the bottom (this is the same soil that was used in the last two pottings).
The strange thing now is that is was regained some of the color but the leaves are now beginning to dye from the end in (like something is slowly eating its way down the leaves). Should I try to “clip†the ends off? Or should i just continue to make sure it has adequate water and light?
I just want my pineapple to be happy!
Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated.
Scott
I took a dried up top of a pineapple with about an inch of flesh still on it, stuck it in the ground, watered it every day and it was growing fine within a week. This top had been sitting around for at least 2 weeks because I had forgotten about it. Just makes me wonder where all this soaking requirement before planting comes from. I didn’t use any rooting hormone or any fertilizer. It’s pretty big now and looks fine but its only been about 8 months so I don’t expect anything from it for a while. Is this just luck that it rooted?
Is there a best time that you should plant the crown of a pineapple. I planted one in july, which is one of the hottest times of the year here in seattle. Also how long after planting in soil does it take to grow the fruit?
I have around 10 plants growing outside in the ground surrounding the house. I live in West Central Florida and all I ever do is cut the top off and plant it in the ground, and they grow fine for me. i put a little fertilizer on them when I remember. I had one large fruit last year that someone decided they needed worse than me. Beautiful thing, Honesty in America. This year I have two smaller fruit and I guess I should get them before the squirells, rats, or people do. They are yellow, from reading above I suppose they are ready to eat.
I have just planted my pineapple plants outside in Florida. There are a vast number of snails clinging to the leaves,will this hinder the growth? How do I keep them off?
Hi Randy
See http://hortchat.com/info/category/insectspests/slugs for ideas as to how to get rid of them.
Do the pineapple plants produce more than one pineapple? We grow and sell them with the fruit on them and have eaten some, but am not sure if they keep producing or not.
I have been trying to grow a pineapple for about 3 years and nothing. First it was looking great with the roots very long inside water. Then decided to transfer to a pot. We left it in the front garden under the sun. Then I noticed that the fert. in the pot looked like mud. Checked it and it seemed it got too much water and the dirt got harder with the excess water. Checked it even closer and the plant lost all of its’ roots. I started panicking and went running to the local home gardening store and com some new fert. and bigger pot, then transferred. It slowed down the withering but slowly but surely some leaves are dying.
I live here in Lancaster,ca where it is either hot or cold, windy or dry, not optimal conditions to leave a pineapple outside. So now I have it indoors again next to the window with all day sunlight.
I freaking out here because somehow I have become attach to this plant and don’t want it to die. It needs more humidity. How do I do that? but a clear plastic bag over it?
What should I do?
my pineapple is starting to have yellowish whitish parts on the leaves I live in south florida what can I do to resolve this problem
Pebble tray
A clear plastic bag can work but if the sunlight is hot then it will cook the plant. In order to get more humidity you can temporarily mist aroung the plant or mist the leaves in the morning to raise humidity.
The way that I’d recommend to raise the humidity around your plant is to put it on a tray filled with rocks with water filled up to just under the top of the rocks. The water evaporates raising the humidity level. You can also place the tray next to the plant if you don’t want it under the plant.
Check that the soil is well draining. If the roots are dying then they probably aren’t getting enough air. Does the soil drain well staying only slightly moist for a day or two. Regular potting soil with perlite will drain well. I hope this helps.
It could either be a bug or if you’re spraying it daily to promote the humidity then it probably is that the water is causing mold on you leaves. Misting is only to be done for a short time so you can set up a pebble tray to rectify the humidity around the plant indoors.
You could wipe the plants leaves off gently and if it doesn’t come back then that was it. Some more circulation indoors also helps to promote a healthy living environment but not directly on the plant.
Pineapple tips
Hey Kris, it’s been a long time since I’ve been here last. Well I kept planting pineapples as me and my wife bought the fruit to eat. I now have in the soil five very healthy plants, and two shoots from my last pineapple crown that I rooted in water. The last top that I had saved and water-rooted had a damaged heart, so it started to grow two baby shoots in the water with it. They somehow broke off in the jar but are surprisingly growing their own set of roots in the water while the mother plant is now nested within the ground and still growing very healthily. My wife now goes outside and tends to my plants when I’m at work. Growing pineapples is very addicting. I love it.
My plants get nourishment mostly from a compost pile that I have near them. It is made of vegetable trimmings, used coffee-grounds, and other natural waste for composts. My pineapples are loving it, especially when it rains and the water going from the pile strait to them for their feeding. Laterz everyone.
Top heavy plant
Hello,
You have a great site with a wealth of terrific information on growing pineapple plants. I was wondering if you might be able to provide some advice for my pineapple plant. I have been growing my plant for 2 years this month. It is approximately 2 feet high and about 2 -2 ½ feet wide. It has about 18 “large†leaves and a couple of new leaves starting to grow (even though it is winter and I live in Wisconsin). I have needed to set up a rope to support the plant as it has become too top heavy to be supported by its roots.
Do you have any advice on how to promote stronger roots? Should I trim the leaves to help lighten the load?
Frost damage
Do I need to do anything special for my pineapple plant that received frost? We had that cold snap in Florida and my year-old plant, though covered, received some frost and burn to its leaves.
More than one fruit
I’m confused. I would like to plant a pineapple plant only if it keeps producing fruit. Does it eventually produce more than one or two fruits? Will it always produce fruit?
I was given a pineapple plant that someone left in the cold for a day. I live in Michigan and it has been very cold. I babied the plant and cut the brown off the tips of the leaves,watered it and put in a window with lots of sun. Now the small fruit is drooping and the stalk in which the pineapple is on turned brown.Can I save it? Should I cut off the fruit?
Pineapple success!
Like a lot of you I have this fascination with pineapples. I see a crown and see a potential plant. I can’t stand throwing them away. I moved into my house little over 6 years ago and thought it would be pretty cool to grow a pineapple plant. Thought it was even cooler when I found out you could plant them outside here (Florida) and they actually grow. It took a good 2 years before getting my first pineapple. The next year I didn’t get anything. So I started putting the plants close together in the ground (about 18″ a part). Two years ago I got 4 pineapples and last year I got 15 (frost killed off 2). This year I hoping between 30 and 40 although there is potential for 48 to produce pineapples. I recently had a wicked cold spell here. The leaves are discolored but all of the centers continue to produce new leaves. I did not cover them (not enough sheets). And very surprisingly they have done very well. I do find that this time of the year the leaves will turn yellow from Late October to about mid March. By spring and summer the leaves and the plants bounced back and got there green back in them. I have had more problems with trying to get the crowns to root in the window than the ones in the ground in the elements. Has anyone else notice that when a pineapple, from a grocery store, goes into the refrigerator and then try to grow roots, is less likely produce roots?
Here’s another question then, do pineapple crowns produce roots quicker in certain times of the year? Between October through I’d say March I’ve noticed rooting is slower than March through October. Is that also because of the cold and/ or less light during the winter months?
Like all plants in variable weather elements, pineapples will do the same. They grow their roots slow to conserve their own resources so as to not wear the plant thin when it needs it the most. Also during Winter time and when the sun is less, their growth overall will slow down. This is natural and means your plants are very healthy. When the sun starts to return to normal,you just continue as you were with your plants in taking care of them. . I hope this helps. Laterz.
I was thinking about purchasing a pineapple plant from a seed co. The type is Ananus ” Elite Gold ” …does this type produce a good size and edible pineapple , or is it just ornamental ?
I’ve never grown pineapples from seed but the Pineapple plant “Elite Gold” is a good tasting edible pineapple.
My Pineapple plant is a Sugarloaf but it must not have enough light since it’s growing so slow. It should do better this summer when it will get more light. My room is usually around 70 degrees. Is that warm enough to encourage pineapple growth or do they grow better when it’s warmer?
Success story
Hi All . . . Must share again with you that I am so excited to now have “TWO” new pineapples bearing fruit in my garden ! It is two yrs. since I planted the top from one I ate , and planted the other shortly after . I am in south Florida . One is planted on the west side and one on south .These plants got huge compared to the first fruit bearing plant in August . I also planted the top of the one we ate in Aug. and it is doing fine … so I wonder if that , too , will bear a fruit ? MUCH time will tell !
Thanks again . . . AnnieQ
Pineapple success
I grew 2 plants while living in Hawaii and started on as soon as I moved to Virginia. It is doing great. I have never rooted a top or let it dry out. I peel off about an inch of the leaves from the bottom of the crown, much like you would do with an artichoke, and place it in a LARGE pot of potting soil. I place it out on my deck in warm weather and moved it in during the cold. I water once a week and feed Miracle Grow (the one you attach to your hose) once a month. Best of luck and Aloha!
Cold stress cause bloom
Just read something interesting, does cold weather help produce more flowering with pineapple plants? Normally, my plants produce flowers Jan/ Feb. maybe early March. But this year I didn’t get the first flower until the second week of March. The weather was really cold this winter. I didn’t think I was going to produce anything this year but here it is late March and I’m still producing flowers. Seems like there’s one or two new flowers everyday. So is there any truth to the cold weather producing more pineapples?
Soil mix
Hi,just wondering I started 2 tops 2/3 weeks ago and have roots that have started, How long can I leave them in water and how long or how many should I have before putting them in Dirt??
Thanks
And should I get sand to mix with the dirt?
I’m amazed that it’s April and I’m still getting flowers. Usually the first week in March is the last I’ve seen them coming up. I’m looking forward to a good season. Good luck to everyone with their Pineapples this season.
Root rot
Can you revive a pineapple plant once it gets root rot or is it done? Pineapple was growing and the plant got root rot. Also will that plant infect the surrounding pineapple plants?
Thanks for all information. Have a nice day.
Pineapple disease
source: http://www.infonet-biovision.org/default/ct/144/crops
White leaf spot (Ceratocystis paradoxa/ Thielaviopsis paradoxa)
The fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa causes white leaf spot, black rot, base or but rot and soft rot or water blisters. White leaf spots are yellow to brown and several centimetres long. Later they dry to become papery and straw coloured.
Base or but rot of pineapple is a common disease of crowns, slips and suckers used for establishing new plantings. Rot of planting material occurs when they are not dried and are packed with little aeration. The fungus also destroys older plants by entering through wounds caused in the collar region while weeding or other field operations. In severe conditions the entire plant may turn dark and rot within two or three days.
Black rot is a post-harvest disease occurring only on injured pineapple fruit. Only freshly cut or injured tissue is infected, and a soft black rot with dark coloured mycelium develops. Water blisters consist of a soft, watery rot of the fruit flesh with overlying skin glassy, water-soaked and brittle. Eventually, the skin, flesh and core disintegrate and the fruit dries out, leaving an empty fruit carcass containing a few, black vascular fibres. The fungus enters the fruit through wounds and the crevices between individual fruits.
Pineapple top and root rot (Phytophtora cinnamomi and P. nicotianae var. parasitica)
Top rot initially manifests in a colour change of heart leaves from green to yellow or light-brown with a red tinge. The leaf edges curve back and leaves are easily pulled out from the plant. Internally, the stem and leaf bases become soft, rotten and have an unpleasant smell. The growing point of the stem has a cheese-like appearance. Root rot causes similar symptoms like top rot. However, the outer leaves become limp and dieback from the tips. By this stage, the root system has rotten and plants can be easily pulled from the ground. Rot rot often extends through the stem to cause top rot. Fruits from diseased plants are normally small and are not marketable. Both P. cinnamomi and P. nicotianae var. parasitica are soil inhabitants and require water for spore production and infection. These fungi prefer wet soil conditions.
What to do:
•Do not plant pineapples in soils prone to waterlogging.
•Improve soil by selective fruit rotations and application of organic compost material.
Pups on the crown
I just removed a healthy crown of off my store bought pineapple and am in the process of repropagation. While stripping off the leaves at the base I came across some pups. What do I do with them? I plan on using the water method to root the crown but don’t know what to do with the pups. I greatly appreciate any suggestions. The crown was pulled from the plan tonight and I have a few days while it dries before I have to “do something” with the pups. Thanks in advance. o
What is the best thing to do with pineapple plants that do not produce fruit anymore but continue to grow leaves longer and longer?
I have several fully grown pineapple plants growing in a mulched planter under a covered area outside. I haven’t done much with them but they seem to be thriving. Here’s the problem, one day when I was at work, my son “trimmed the leaves” by cutting many of them of at the half-way point. Now I’m afraid they will die off. He cut them because they were growing out into the the walkway and of course the leaves are very sharp and we had to be careful walking through there. Do you think they can survive this assault? All of the larger ones have fruit already.
Thanks for the reply. I have many plants growing around the trunk of Oak trees that do nothing but keep growing leaves longer and longer.
Hi Kris,
All the comments above relate to the fruit-bearing pineapple plant. Mine is a simple bromeliad which had a spectacular flower when I bought it 3yrs ago. Eventually, the flower died and it started throwing out ‘pups’. I planted one separately, which has now died. I left the mother plant and it grew more pups- 4 of them still attached to the main root. They are growing quite nicely in a 6″ pot and are about 8″s high. Could you tell me whether I should separate them? The mother plant is dead once I cut its leaves to let the pups grow without overcrowding. What kind of soil should I use? And is there something I should be doing so that they bloom? I water the pot once a week and make sure the cups are filled. They do not get any direct Sun at all….perhaps thats a problem? Do they need Sun to promote blooms? Is there a fertiliser I should be using? I know I’m asking a lot of questions, but I really need your help as I haven’t been able to find any relevant info pertaining to the Bromeliad. Thanks in advance for your advice!
I learned from my own experience, you can leave the pups attached and the mother plant and pups will grow together. Once the rooting is good within the water, transplant into your soil. I hope this helps.
Is there any way of preventing root rot? I’ve lost one pineapple so far and I might lose up to 3 more. There are not getting over watered. Not sure why all of sudden they are turning. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Bromeliads are normally a full sun plant. You don’t want to suddenly put your plant in the full sun or else it will sun-burn. You’ll have to slowly over the passing of a few days move it closer towards being in the full sun. Every couple days, have it moved to a spot where it gets more sun on a daily basis.
You can separate the pups now, or leave them attached, mostly your decision now. Once you separate the pups, you’ll need to root them before planting them. Letting them sit in a cup of water while in sunlight helps. Once they grow a strong system of roots, then you can plant them in the ground.
The best soil to use is one that allows adequate drainage. Not drain too much water, but also not retain too much water. Soil mixed with organics works very well as the organics also help feed your bromeliads.
They will bloom on their own once they are ready. Just follow your watering schedule, and they will do fine.
For fertilizer, I found the best is using natural compost. If you read further up, you’ll see an earlier post with growing tips which has my method of fertization. Since bromeliads need a lot of nitrogen, brewed coffee grounds supply a lot of this. I know my pineapple love it.
The tips that you read relating to pineapples also relates to your bromeliads since they are of the very same family. I hope all this helps, and I wish you luck.
Thanks Valex for your advice- I will try the coffee fertilization. I am going to change the soil to a potting mix- currently they are in an orchid potting mix which someone had recommended was the best. Obviously not!? When you say mix it with “organic material”, what would that be? Is there a pre-mixed soil type available from Miracle Gro or Schultz? Thanks again for your comments!
Organic material is any organic material like vegetable remains and such. If you’re going to mix it with your soil, you’ll want to make sure that it is chopped into very tiny pieces before you mix it. For an added kick, mix in your used coffee grounds as well to give the extra nitrogen. They do have potting soil out there that is already pre-mixed with organic material, you’ll just have to look at your local garden shop or greenhouse. I know Home Depot will quite possibly sell it, and your local Wal-Mart might have it as well. Miracle-Gro and Schultz also have a brand of organic mixed potting soil out as well, just have to check to see if any of your local stores carry it.
If you can’t find it pre-mixed, you can always make your own with basic potting soil. This will make the roots of your plant/s very happy. Since bromeliads are also top feeders, getting a lot of nutrients in their cups, you’ll want to occasionally have a little organic material in fine form mixed with your water. You don’t want to over-do it though or else you’ll end up over-feeding your plant/s and hurt them. One good way to add nutrients to your bromeliad’s cups that has a lot of nutrients, dead bugs will suffice very well. Wild bromeliads feed this way due to tiny bugs getting trapped in the water-filled cups and drowning. Any tiny bug will do, from flies to squished ants, ect. Make sure no pesticides were used on these bugs or else the poison will kill your plant/s.
I hope all this helps, and I wish you luck. Let us know how it goes.
My Compost/Fertilizer Tips:
I use all natural organic waste for my compost pile. It consists of all fruit and vegetable waste that my house uses. You don’t need to mash these up, just throw them in as they are after you are done with them. The smaller pieces will degrade the fastest, delivering instant nutrition to your plants while the bigger pieces will degrade slower and give a constant and regular feeding.
I add used coffee grounds. The coffee grounds aerate the soil and add vital nutrients and nitrogen that plants need while growing. Used coffee grounds work the best for the brewing of your coffee unlocks hidden oils and nutrients that remain dormant within the coffee bean. Once brewed, the used ground is good for up to one week before they loose their vital treasures. When placed in the ground, the used grind releases these into the soil which then sends it directly to your hungry roots when watered.
Plants also require lots of calcium to grow strong, and this is provided through egg-shells and also shrimp shells. If you have shells from oysters and/or clams due to your region, these will provide excellent large amounts of calcium into your soil. It’s best to have the seafood shells crushed to a powder-like consistency so they break down easier. Egg shells don’t need to be crushed, but it does do better when crushed. For the shrimp shells, it’s always best to take them out to your compost pile immediately, and then covered thoroughly. When shrimp shells start to degrade after peeling, it will gather a nasty slime that reeks. It will also attract unwelcome attention from local cats if not buried completely. I personally dig a small hole next to my compost pile and bury in dirt. The bugs within the soil will take care of the shrimp shells while the dirt contains the nasty odor. After a week, it’s good to mix this soil/shell mixture into your compost pile.
Yard cuttings and trimmings make an excellent addition to your compost. Everything natural that you would end up throwing away, will become additional nutrients for your plants.
If you are going to making and use a compost pile, you’ll need to find a good spot within your yard. The best place to have one is where your soil is already good. Soil with lots of worms and natural bugs is prime area. The worms and bugs will do their job and start to break down and degrade the compost, turning it all into delicious food for your plants. I started with digging a hole before I placed my first batch of waste into it. This will bring forth the worms and insects to your starting pile. As you continue to build upon your growing pile, the worms and insects will continue devouring through it, and turning it into very rich and healthy soil.
Another good place to have your compost pile is on a raised section of your yard, this will allow natural water flow downward and toward your awaiting plants. This will give them a good feeding with each watering. I add water to my pile on a regular basis when it does not rain for a few days. The water itself is an ionic carrier, carrying the vital nutrients directly toward the roots which are then absorbed. Without watering, your plant can not eat for their roots can not directly absorb these vital nutrients directly. My pineapple plants are directly in the watering line of my compost pile. The water travels through the pile, carrying with it the nutrients that have been released, and taking it directly to my awaiting plants. Water is also vital for the degradation of your compost as well. The water allows the growth of essential bacteria which works to break down the toughest part of the waste, releasing even more vital nutrients that are locked away which insects and worms alone can not do.
Keeping your pile moist most time, but not too moist for some species of fungus and mold can be a killer with their deadly toxins if allowed to grow. Regular mushrooms growing on your compost pile is a good fungus to keep around, but not too much or else they will steal all the good nutrients from your plants.
Another good way that you can try with having your compost pile is having it within a bin or make-shift box or cage. This is a good way so your compost is not spreading outward into your yard. If you choose this method, make sure the base has space and/or holes within it to allow the flow of water to drain, and to allow the orgasms to enter from the ground into your compost.
After you have your compost pile going, it’s always best to periodically to give it a turn and mix. This will help with the breaking down of the waste and distribute the organisms throughout it, helping your compost to break down evenly and to prevent mold from growing. When turning and mixing, add some soil along the way. While you mix, you will notice that the soil around and in your pile will be very dark. The darker that it is, and looser that it is, the healthier that it is. The coloring will be a good sign as to how well you are doing. Mixing your compost will bring fresh oxygen into your pile as well, revitalizing the soil and organisms within it.
When I’m planting one of my plants, I plant it close to my compost pile for the important run-off and feeding. I dig a hole for my plant and before I place it into the hole, I fill the bottom of the hole with some of the compost. This will provide instant nutrition for your plants to encourage a good and strong taking of the roots in this vital time. The planting into a new hole can be very stressful for plants, so having an immediate food source ready is always helpful. Don’t worry if the compost that you place into your ready hole still has large pieces in it, these will get broken down over time as your plant feeds upon it.
As your pile grows, you don’t have to let it just sit there and provide nourishment to your immediate plants, but you can also spread it wherever you choose for your other plants to enjoy as well.
There are a few good benefits to having a compost pile within your yard. It not only gives your plants a regular and healthy source for feeding, it is very inexpensive way to keep your plants healthy and happy.
Another good benefit is that it’s all natural so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals that other fertilizers and feeders can contain that would normally be harmful to people and pets.
You will also notice that what you carry to the trash is a lot less as well. Since you’re reusing your organic and natural waste, less will be in your trash can for your garbage man to take. I have a large plastic container which my family regularly places all of our natural waste in along with our brewed coffee grounds. Every day to a few days, depending on how much is in the container, I take it outside and add to my compost pile. We have ended up having smaller amounts of trash to throw away. We also know that all our fruit and vegetable trimmings are not going to waste, and neither are the fruits and vegetables that end up spoiling before we can use them.
Having a compost pile is not hard, nor is it complicated. You just daily redirect your natural waste to a container that you want to store it in, or directly to your pile. After a few days, it becomes natural just like throwing away your regular garbage. Not only does it feed your plants, it’s good for the earth as well in our way of becoming green.
I hope all this helps anyone out there that is starting, and adding more information for those that are already doing. Happy Composting, and Happy Growing Everyone.
I was moving my pinepple plant when the small pineapple broke off Is there any way to save it?
Susan
New at growing pineapple plants. I live in Tampa, Florida and have a couple of pineapple plants growing in the ground. Two have produced fruit. On the fruit are more babies trying to grow. Do I need to cut them off or do I leave them on there?
Slips on base of fruit
I have a 4 year old pineapple plant which I started from the top of a store bought pineapple. It is finally producing a fruit and I am thrilled! However, I am a little concerned…it is beginning to look like a “mutant” pineapple as there appear to be 2-3 more fruit trying to grow in the same area. These new buds(or whatever they are) are pushing the larger fruit over to one side. What is this and what can I do about it? Do you think any of the fruit will mature?
Robin
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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?
Hi Susan,
well sorry to here what happened to your pineapple 🙁
but I think you can just put It In some fresh soil and let It grow rather than through It away or somthing.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
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 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
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?
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
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.
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
how do you cut a mango having problems with the pit being so large Thanks Mamie
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
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 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?
When to harvest pineapple
How can I tell when it is time to pick my pineapple?
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?
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.
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 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
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?
Fertilizer
What kind of fertilizer do I need to use on my pineapple plant to promote my plant flowering?
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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 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?
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!
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!
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?
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.
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.