Pineapple is a tropical plant that does not require much care, but it must be kept in mind that it is native to South America and therefore grows best in tropical or temperate climates.
We will now show you how to plant a pineapple to enjoy its benefits and rich flavor. Just buy a pineapple at its peak, neither too green nor too ripe: with firm green leaves, brown to golden skin and firm to the touch.
Steps for planting pineapple indoors
Cut or tear off the crown of the pineapple, being careful not to remove the leaves or the plant will not grow well. The crown will constitute the root and you will have to cut the remaining part of the fruit. Remove some of the lower leaves to expose the stem, which will help the roots grow better.
Leave the stem upside down near a window for about a week to dry and heal the wounds. After this time, you can plant the pineapple directly in a pot, but some prefer to soak the crown.
To do this, choose a container with an opening large enough to hold the crown of the pineapple and small enough to hold the pineapple without completely submerging it.
Insert 4 toothpicks around the stem, just under the leaves so that they are supported in the container, immerse the stem with a few fingers and let the leaves emerge from the surface.
Place the container near a sunny window and wait for the roots to emerge, which will take a few weeks. Avoid extreme temperatures for the pineapple plant and change the water every 2-3 days to avoid mold growth in the submerged area.
Prepare a 10-inch pot of garden soil containing organic material for planting the canopy. A mixture of coconut fibre, worm manure and peat in equal parts is recommended.
When the roots are a few inches long, it’s the perfect time to plant them, because if you do it earlier, they won’t hold up well. The base of the leaves must be above the ground and push down hard.
Keep the plant perfectly hydrated and in a warm and humid environment, where the night temperature never drops below 18°C. You can bring the plant outside if you live in temperate climates, but you will need to keep it indoors like houseplants during the winter months and place it near the window in full sun. It is enough to water it lightly once a week and you can spray it with water for better hydration.
During the summer months it is necessary to fertilize the pineapple plant twice a day with medium-soluble fertilizers. It is convenient to transfer the plant to a larger pot from time to time, until you transplant it directly into the ground. But pay attention to the place you choose, it must receive the same care as houseplants.
Where does pineapple come from?
Most pineapples do not contain seeds, so they are grown on the stem. It is much safer because a new plant does not always grow through the seed.
After planting the plant, it can take years for the flowers to appear. Then you will see a red cone between the leaves, followed by blue flowers, and finally comes the fruit, which takes about 6 months to complete its development. The fruit develops thanks to this blue flower in relief in the center of the plant.
But there is a quicker method if you know someone who already has a pineapple plant and just needs to give you a single sapling. To do this, separate the young plant from the mother plant, leaving at least one for the death of the latter, and plant it in a small pot or seedbed until it grows, then you can exchange it for a larger pot.
Plant care tips
Unlike other plants, pineapple needs to be fertilized all year round. It is therefore recommended to add organic fertilizer or compost every 15 days. Don’t let the soil dry out, but don’t over-water it, and if possible, don’t water it with tap water.
The ideal time to plant the pineapple seedling is spring, when the temperature begins to rise, so that it can grow and strengthen during the warm months and prepare for the winter months. It is also recommended to plant 2 pineapples in case one of them does not develop into a new plant.
Even if you think you can use it as a houseplant, the optimal size of the pineapple should be five feet tall and five feet wide. And be careful when picking pineapples, because their juice contains strong enzymes that can irritate the skin.