Of all this things I’ve grown, I think I’m most excited about growing pineapples. I’m not really sure why but I am. There’s something wonderful about planting the top of a pineapple and in a couple of years have fruit.
This photo is from August 2011. About 4 months after I planted a pineapple top for the first time.
This is the same plant in April 2013.
And in May 2013
Not a lot is written about growing pineapples, I suspect because most people don’t live in a climate where they can grow them easily outside.
But pineapples can also be grown in a 10-12″ pot and be taken inside for the winter or, in my climate, when there’s a chance of a freeze.
Pineapples are a novelty fruit that I grow for fun, although one day I hope to have enough plants to meet my family’s needs/wants. There are other fruits and vegetables that I grow that supply all my family’s needs for that item. If you need help deciding how much of a fruit or vegetable to plant to meet your family’s needs, you can get the worksheets I use emailed to you by filling out the form below.
How to Grow Pineapples
- You can plant the top of a store bought pineapple. Just leave a little of the flesh on, let it dry out for a day or so and then plant in well drained soil.
- You can also purchase a pineapple plant from a nursery, this is more expensive but you might get fruit the first year.
- Some recommend that you leave the pineapple top in water for about a week. The times I did this, it rotted – so I don’t recommend that, but it’s your plant do what you want.
- Minimum temperature is 60 degrees. Now, we’ve gone way below 60 here during the winter and I only covered them when we were actually going to freeze. So I’m guessing a little cooler is okay as long as most days aren’t below 60.
- Maximum temperature is 90 degrees according to Grow Fruit by Alan Buckingham. Most of our summer is above 90 degrees so I don’t really know what to say other than apparently this isn’t a hard and fast rule.
- Water thoroughly and then let them dry out between watering
- If side shoots develop you can just leave them and they’ll produce another pineapple
- Or you can remove the side shoot and plant in another pot, just like you do with aloe vera pups.
- I’ve heard that you can put an apple slice down into the pineapple plant to help stimulate production. I’ve never done this put lots of people recommend it.
Pests and Problems with Growing Pineapples
- Not susceptible to any pests
- As long as the temperature is kept above 60 degrees there’s not any foliage problems
- Root disease can occur if over watered and in cool soil
- Chickens will eat the unripe pineapple – so guard it if you have chickens.
Harvesting Pineapples
- Harvest when pineapple stops growing and turns from green to golden
- I’m sure you won’t have so many you need to store them but just in case you do you can cut them up and freeze them
- You can also dehydrate pineapple slices or can pineapple chunks
Other fast growing fruits
Pineapples are a fantastic perennial fruit that will give you fruit quickly and produce year after year. There are also fast growing fruit trees that will give you fruit in the first or second year instead of having to wait 5 or more years after planting.
I would have four pineapple plants in pots, but my dog tends to enjoy pulling them up out of the soil. I had one in my kitchen window until the other day, now it’s outside. I also have a new one I just planted. I need to put them in bigger pots, they are in milk jugs right now.
That’s crazy your dog keeps pulling them up – they’re kind of prickly. I can’t wait to see how they do for you.
That’s funny because my dogs did that too! I ended up having to put it up high and it finally rooted.
I now have a miniature pineapple growing (roughly half the size of store bought)
You said it will turn a golden color when ripe. Do I cut it just below the fruit and leave the stem?
Yes, just cut below the fruit and leave the stem.
I love the May 2013 photo. What fun it must be growing your own pineapple :O)
Thanks, Patty. It is kind of fun, it’s definitely the thing we’re most excited about.
That is so cool! I’ve heard you could do this but never known anyone who tried it. I’ve thought about trying it but here in Ohio I’m thinking even if I keep it in the house it might be too cold in the winter. I’m trying something similar with celery. It has only been a few weeks since I put the stub in water but roots have sprouted and several leaves are growing up and out. We’ll see if we actually get any celery stalks. My garden has been many many years of thinking and wishing so we are looking forward to our second raspberry harvest but because I’ve had very little actual success I always enjoy seeing everything you have in your garden!
ohhh, raspberries will be nice. There’s a great book called Growing Tasty Tropical Plants written by a couple in NY. They grow all this great stuff in pots indoors. You might check it out.
I think I may have to add pineapple to my garden this year – I didn’t even think of it!
Thanks for linking up with us at Natural Living Monday!
Thanks for hosting!
I have one growing in my yard, I can not wait till it produces. Is it 2 years before they produce?
yeah, 2 years. But it really does go buy quickly. Let me know when yours produces and I’ll celebrate with you!
We have three coming up right now. We planted the tops from the ones we got at the grocery.
We’ll be eating well this summer! Thanks for featuring this easy plant.
Yours are definitely farther along than mine. I remember seeing a pic on one of your posts a few months ago and asking you about them. I thought mine would never produce and here it is. Do you know about how long it takes the fruit to grow and ripen?
That is amazing! I love growing things out of what others may deems as garbage! Thanks for sharing. I am pinning!
Me,too. Thanks for visiting…and pinning.
I found one at the dump when i was scavenging for wood for the fire pit in the discarded yard waste area. it was all sunburned and sick looking, but i brought it home, replanted, and now it’s doing fine! i have have it in a hanging basket, but it will need to go into the ground next spring. pineapples are beautiful bromeliads! 🙂
http://oldescrubland.blogspot.com
How cool is that? They really are pretty hardy.
So cool. Would love to grow pineapples. Thanks for sharing at the HomeAcre Hop. Please come back and see us this week: http://everythinghomewithcarol.com/the-self-sufficient-homeacre-hop-2/
thanks for hosting!
My brother-in-law did this. I so want to try this! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
You should!
I was at Trader Joe’s yesterday, and they had pineapple plants with pineapples on them for $12! I was thinking that I may buy a couple of those, and then plant our tops when we finish pineapples…eventually we will never have to buy pineapple! YAY!
wow! I’ve never seen pineapple plants for sale that acutally had a pineapple on them. I’d buy a couple if I did. Never having to buy pineapples again is my long term goal,too.
Home Depot in Victoria actually have the pineapple plants with baby pineapples on them for sell right now.
I grow my own from grocery store pineapples too.
Oh, that is good to know! I have several growing but our rooster decided to try one of them. I’ll have to check that out.
Don’t cut the top off the pineapple, Just twist the leaf crow from the base and it pops out like a cork. This is the part I root in water, then plant. I haven’t had any rot on me, but I trim the lower leaves close.
Crown, not crow. oops.
I’m going to have to try that!
Great post! At one point I had over 35 plants. I think we are down to 20 now as I gave the others away. It gets cold enough here that they have to go into the greenhouse. Just a few of my tips.
*I root all of my pineapple tops in water. You have to follow two rules. Remove all of the flesh and an inch or so of the leaves first
*Once the plant produces a pineapple, it will produce a new main shoot and “pups”. The new shoot will produce another pineapple in about a year. The pups can be broken off or cut off and planted in pots for additional plants.
Here is a post I did a few years ago with photos of how I start them and some pups: http://ahomeinthecountry.blogspot.com/2012/11/rooting-pineapple-tops-and-dividing.html
Thanks for the tips and for sharing your post!
Oh my goodness!! This is so cool! I live in Montana so this would very likely not be an option for me, but I have never even thought about anyone growing a pineapple at their home! You have broadened my horizons today. Thank you! So cool!
Ha! I’m so glad I broadened your horizons! It really is pretty cool see it grow, very different than most fruits. There is a book called Growing Tasty Tropical Plants (http://amzn.to/1UpKx8D) and they live in NY and grow all kinds of stuff in pots. A pineapple will grow great in a pot and you could just bring it in and put it near the fire in the winter.
I have one growing that is 2 or 3 years old.It was at a stand still until I read somewhere about a week ago to water it down the center of the plant. I did so and my plant has really started to grow.. I bring it inside during the winter.. It is close to 100 degrees and it is looking good. I am anxious to get a pineapple that I grew myself. I have been trying for about 20 years but I think this time I will succeed !
That is so exciting, Joyce! I’ll have to pay attention to how I water mine, that’s a good tip. Let me know when you get that first pineapple and I’ll celebrate with you!
I have been growing a pineapple indoors. It is now 5 years old and still no fruit or any indication of a flower. Blades are 4 ft long. Plant looks hardy, but no fruit! What’s wrong?
hmmm, I wonder if it needs direct sunlight to fruit. Can you put it outside this spring? I’ve never grown them indoors so that’s my best guess.
Very helpful post! I have one growing in my garden that is very hardy but has long, skinny, yellowish leaves instead of fat, green ones. Is there something wrong with it?
Hi Rachel, I wonder if it’s getting too much water? Pineapples tend to like the soil a little on the drier side. If it’s too dry, the leaves will turn light green, then yellow and then red. If they are just yellow, it makes me think they’re getting too much water. Hope that helps.
Is full sun ok when it’s above 60 degrees?
Absolutely!
I have 2 pineapples one is in water the other in soil both are indoors. I find the one in water is healthier the leaves are stronger really sharp. The other is growing well but the leaves are floppy not strong and sharp like the one in just water. They are both coming up on 2 years, thank you for the information I didn’t realize the same plant can produce fruit more than once. I also have kiwi, grapes, avocados, lemons, and a pearapple all started from the fruit you buy at the grocery store.
Wow, that’s really impressive!