HOW TO GROW PINEAPPLE FROM TOP
How to grow pineapple from Top
Pineapples are like houseplants
The pineapple plant is native to Central and South America. This member of the bromeliad family prefers to grow in the ground, unlike the bromeliads we know as “air plants.” The pineapple plant has long, strong, sword-shaped leaves that eventually spread 3 to 6 feet in width and height. Pineapples can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 11 or 12, but many people grow them as houseplants for at least part of the year. Give the plant ample room to grow in bright light and you’ll have ripe pineapples in 18 to 32 months. Follow the steps below to grow this tropical plant at home.
How to plant a pineapple stem
Try one of two common planting methods. The first method is to soak the dried pineapple plant in a cup of water before planting. First, prepare your pineapple. Open the top of the leaf and remove some of the lower leaves so that a few inches of the stem are exposed. Root buds around the edge of the stem should be visible. Leave the pineapple plant for several days to allow the cut ends to dry before planting (this will help prevent rot).
Place the stem in a glass in direct sunlight for about three weeks when the roots start to grow. Make sure you change the water every other day. When the roots reach 2 or 3 inches in length, it is time to transplant the pineapple plant. Choose a container that drains well and fill it with a mixture of peat moss, sand and perlite. Prune the plant so that the lower leaves are above the ground. Pack the soil around the plant so that it is vertical. Place the pot in bright, indirect light, preferring a humid environment if possible to mimic the plant’s tropical environment. Water when the soil begins to dry and give the plant a fertilizer that dissolves water once a month in spring and summer.
How to plant a pineapple crown
Or, skip the soaking step and plant a crown of dried pineapple directly into the container. First, cut the top of the pineapple below the crown. Let the top of the pineapple dry for several days. Plant it in the same soil mixture mentioned above, burying the crown to the bottom of the leaves. Water well, and move the pot to bright light. About two or three weeks after planting, new leaves will begin to appear in the center of the pineapple crown.
When to grow pineapple outdoors
Like most houseplants, pineapples can be moved to dry shade in late spring and summer to receive rain and moisture. Do not cover these shallow plants with water, because they are prone to root rot. Make sure the soil is dry before using the watering can. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit will slow plant growth, but damage will not occur until temperatures drop below freezing. At the end of the season, bring your pineapple plant indoors to avoid frost damage.
Harvesting Your Pineaple
A pineapple plant produces only one fruit. Be patient: it may take a year and a half or two for the plant to start growing and another month or two for the fruit to start growing. And when you see small pineapples starting to come out of the leaves, you will know that it is worth waiting. Once the fruit turns golden and begins to smell fragrant, remove your pineapple with a sharp knife.
Once the pineapple is harvested, some plants produce offspring. For the second harvest, remove all but one large shoot (speak for a pup that comes out of the ground). The plant will grow into a mature plant and grow new pineapples.
