Growing a Pineapple Sprout from Commercial Pineapple - A Guide to creating a Tropical Home Plant
Growing a Pineapple from its Top: Let's dive into the exhilarating world of gardening – specifically, learning how to cultivate a pineapple from its top! Whether you reminisce about childhood memories or crave an engaging indoor hobby, this little green project fits the bill. All you need is a store-bought pineapple, and you can transform it into a delightful houseplant.
Leading gardening experts have shared their wisdom and expertise with us, so we've got you covered from A to Z. Follow along as we walked through the steps of growing a pineapple from its top, including a handy visual guide of the stages and a bonus section for those in cooler climates.
Can You Grow a Pineapple From the Top?
Juice up your indoor garden: Regrowing kitchen scraps is not only a fun and eco-friendly method of gardening but also an easy way to create a lively indoor garden. And pineapples are one of the simplest plants to start with. It doesn't matter where you live; you can grow the top of a pineapple into a charming houseplant. In the right climate, this little pineapple tree can grow, mature, establish, and produce a blooming stalk, potentially yielding a pineapple from the top of another pineapple!
How to Plant a Pineapple Top
Here's a simple breakdown of the steps to grow your pineapple top:
- Purchase a large, fresh pineapple. Look for one harvested locally if possible, or find one at your nearby grocery store.
- Cut the leafy top of the fruit about an inch below the leaves. Carefully remove the outer leaves and the lower leaves. Remove the outer portion of the pineapple top at the bottom of the crown to expose the root buds.
- Allow the trimmed pineapple top to dry for a few days in a warm, dry location.
- Fill a large, well-draining container with a potting medium, then moisten it. Plant the base of the pineapple top in the mixture and water well. Cover the plant with a plastic bag to maintain humidity, then place the pot in a spot with bright, indirect light.
- Keep the soil consistently moist until roots develop, usually about 6 to 8 weeks. Allow the pineapple top to develop a strong root system before transplanting it into a larger pot.
How to Grow a Pineapple Top
The secret to your pineapple top's success lies in nurturing its soil by keeping it consistently moist. Water it regularly, taking care not to make the soil soggy. Fertilize the plant once every four weeks during spring and summer and every eight weeks during fall and winter, using a water-soluble fertilizer.
Track the progress of your plant as it grows. It will grow quickly and may outgrow its container, in which case you simply move it to a larger pot. If you live in a non-tropical area, keep the plant indoors during winter and move it outdoors to a semi-shaded spot during summer.
Bonus Tips: Growing Pineapples in Cooler Climates
If you reside in a cooler or less tropical climate, don't let that deter you from growing pineapples indoors! Follow these steps to grow your pineapple in style, no matter the temperature:
- When it's warm enough (above 65°F / 18°C), place the newly planted pineapple top near a sunny window or under a grow light to provide six to eight hours of indirect sunlight.
- Maintain indoor temperatures above 50°F (10°C) to keep the plant from freezing.
- Use containers with well-draining soil and protect the plant from frost and chilly nights.
- Be patient, as pineapples grown in cooler climates may take longer to fruit (16 months to 3 years).
- Keep an eye out for flowering, which typically occurs within two to three months, followed by the development of a pineapple fruit.
- Wear gloves and handle the plant carefully to avoid the spiky leaves.
By understanding the ideal conditions for pineapples and tailoring your care to suit your climate, you can successfully grow pineapples almost anywhere – inside or out! And who knows, with a bit of luck and perseverance, you may even end up with a delicious pineapple harvested from the top of another pineapple![1][4][5]
Source: ['Gardening Know How', 'The Spruce', 'Good Housekeeping' [1], [4], [5]]
- Spruce up your home-and-garden lifestyle with a charming houseplant: Regrowing the top of a pineapple is a fun and eco-friendly way to add more greenery to your home.
- By following a few simple steps and providing the right setting, you can successfully grow a pineapple indoors, even if you live in a cooler climate. Don't let your climate hold you back from enjoying the rewarding hobby of gardening.
