The Repurposing Life

How to Grow a Pineapple from Top

This is a very simple way to grow a new pineapple plant from a grocery store pineapple. You may want to start a couple of plants all at once since it’s impossible to tell ahead of time which ones will succeed. When trying any plant propagation, be sure the plant is not patented. Any patent should be listed on the tag.

How Long Does It Take To Grow A Pineapple From A Pineapple Top?

Years. Step one is to grow the top into a houseplant. From there, if growing conditions are optimum, after several years the plant may flower and (very slowly) produce fruit. But that can be challenging, especially in a cooler climate unless you provide grow lights as well. Some indoor pineapple plants never flower or produce fruit but do grow quite large (up to 6 feet tall) indoors. Others stay fairly small if light levels are lower than desired.

Below are tips for caring for your pineapple plant. 

How to Grow a Pineapple Top

1. Select A Healthy Pineapple

Select a healthy, ripe pineapple.

• Look for healthy, vibrant green leaves (not gray or brown) with no sign of disease or insects.
• The ripeness is indicated by the golden color, which forms from the base up: the more golden, the sweeter and riper the pineapple.

Over-ripe pineapples are orange and have a fermented fruit odor.

2. Detach Top

• Remove the top by firmly grasping the leaves and twisting. The crown will detach from the base.

The base is now ready for carving and eating. The crown is ready for peeling, drying and rooting. If you’d prefer a visual step by step guide, watch this short instructional video.

3. Remove Lower Leaves

• Peel off several layers of leaves from the base of the crown so about 1-2 inches is exposed. You’ll see little brown nubs that the leaves were covering up. New roots will sprout from these nubs.

4. Dry Crown

• Lay the crown on its side and leave it to dry for 1-2 days out of direct sun.

You can root the plant directly in moist potting mix or use the water method shown below.

5. Root Crown in Water

Weeks 2-6

• Place the crown in a jar of clean, warm water, with only the leaf-free area submerged in the water. A mason jar works well for this.
• Change the water every other day. You want to keep the water clean and fresh.
• Don’t worry if the leaves start to dry and turn brown. This is normal. Some stay green, some do not.
• If the plant is not going to root, the crown may suddenly dry out entirely. If this happens, try another pineapple.

6. Plant in Potting Mix

After a month or so, when you have lots of nice long roots (3 inches or longer), plant the crown in potting mix suitable for succulents and cacti. Pineapple plants do not like to have their roots restricted, so choose a pot with room to grow.

Weeks 7-14

• For the next few weeks, keep the plant away from bright sun, and be sure the soil is consistently moist but not soaking wet. This is when the roots will grow in the soil.
• After about two months, the plant should be snugly grabbing the soil (indicating root growth has taken place) and you should see signs of new leaf growth, coming from the middle of the plant.

Pineapple Plant Care

Light

• Pineapple is a tropical fruit plant, so provide bright sun without burning the plant or drying out the soil. Consider a summer holiday outdoors near a wall for extra warmth.
• You can also use grow lights if you do not have natural sun available.

Temperature  

• Pineapples will die in freezing temperatures.
• Growth halts below 15.5°C (60°F) and above 32°C (90°F).
• The sweet spot is right in the middle: 20°C and 30°C (68°F-86°F).

Water

I recommend using a simple moisture meter for both houseplants and outdoor container plants. It’s a simple way to know how moist the soil is at root level and learn to keep water levels nice and steady.

• Pineapples are somewhat drought tolerant but it’s too easy to go to an extreme when growing indoors in a container. Keep them moderately moist at all times.
• Drought also slows or halts growth. Leaves become light green, then yellow or red and curled when drought is present.
• Overwatering can be just as harmful.
• It’s not unusual for the tips of the leaves to turn brown. If it happens, trim off the brown with clean scissors. If the middle of the plant turns yellow or brown, it’s likely the entire the plant is dying.

Fertilizer

• As your plant grows, it will need a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer (5-5-5) N-P-K macro-nutrients.
• You may also want to research options for applying micro-nutrients a few times a year.

The Question of Fruit

Pineapple plants need 2-3 years of maturing before flowering and fruiting can take place. During this time, your pineapple plant will outgrow its pot a couple of times and need repotting. Cut away old, dead leaves as needed. If, after all this time, your plant is healthy but not flowering, look up ways to force blooms. It may just need an extra boost. Eventually, if you’re lucky, it will indeed flower and fruit.

How to Regrow a Pineapple

Sources:
How to Grow a Pineapple from the Grocery Store
https://empressofdirt.net/grow-pineapple-indoors/
January 12, 2020 by Melissa J. Will
Growing Pineapples – University of Florida Extension
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG05500.pdf