Grow Your Own Pineapple

If you're looking for an attractive, low-maintenance houseplant that also makes delicious fruit, you might want to think about growing your own pineapple plant. Growing pineapple plants indoors is very easy, making it a great project for just about anyone. You will only need a few things to get started, and after a few days you should have your very own pineapple plant.

You Will Need:

• Ripe pineapple
• Sharp knife
• Planting pot at least 8 inches (about 20 cm) in diameter
• Potting Soil
• Plenty of sunlight

Selecting the Pineapple

Head over to your favorite local grocery store and look for a pineapple with nice golden-brown skin and firm green leaves. Avoid pineapples that appear green, as they are not fully ripe yet as well as pineapples that appear to be overripe or unhealthy. If you're not sure, try smelling the bottom of the pineapple. If it smells sweet and heavenly, it will probably work for your new plant. Be sure to inspect the leaves of the pineapple for any signs of pests or diseases.

Preparing the Pineapple

After you select the perfect pineapple, you are ready to begin your pineapple plant. The first thing you need to do is separate the crown from the fruit. Grasp the crown firmly (watch out for spikes) and twist it until it comes out. Once you have separated the crown, remove the lower levels of leaves and any remaining fruit from the base. You should have about 1 inch of the crown exposed at the bottom. Next, look at the base of the crown for little brown dots around the outer edge. These are the root buds. If you cannot see them, cut very thin slices from the bottom until they are exposed. At this point, it is best to let the crown dry out for a few days so the scars have some time to heal. This helps prevent rot, and gives you plenty of time to enjoy eating the remainder of the pineapple.

Plant the Pineapple

Now that the pineapple crown has had some time to itself, it's time to plant. Place some potting soil in a pot at least 8 inches in diameter. Place the crown firmly at a depth of 2 inches below the surface of the soil. Some people prefer to let the roots sprout in a glass of water before they plant the pineapple crown in soil, while others find this extra step unnecessary. Feel free to experiment, and stick with whatever method works best for you.

Caring for the Pineapple Plant

Place your new houseplant in an area where it will get plenty of sunlight and have room to grow. If you've planted your pineapple successfully, it may very well grow to be about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. If you plan on bringing your pineapple plant outdoors, keep in mind that they are damaged at 32 F degrees and could die at 28 F degrees. Depending on where you live, you may need to bring them indoors during colder months, or if the overnight temperature in your area dips particularly low. Pineapple plants do not require a lot of water, so they will be fine if you only water them once a week.

Reaping the Reward

You won't see pineapples growing right away, but don't be discouraged. Your plant could start to produce fruit after only a couple of years. Though the fruit you get will likely be smaller and less sweet than the fruit you will find at the grocery store, I have enjoyed eating many fresh pineapples grown by my father in New Hampshire. When you do finally see a fruit growing, wait until it ripens on the plant before you harvest it. Consuming the fruit or juice from unripe pineapples can make you sick. If you grow your own pineapples, don't forget to save the crowns and repeat the process!

References

http://www.rickswoodshopcreations.com/pineapple/pineapple.htm

http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-pineapples.html

https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/pineapple.html

https://www.livestrong.com/article/407906-pineapple-side-effects/

http://thailandfruitsandfood.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-grow-pineapple-in-your-home.html