How to grow pineapples

Pineapples are both delicious and beautiful. They can also make a magnificent plant for you to enjoy, view, and harvest for years to come. Here's how to turn your store-bought pineapple into a thriving plant!

EditSteps

1. 1
   Obtain a pineapple with firm, green leaves (not yellow or brown). The fruit skin should be golden brown. Make sure it's not overripe by gently tugging on the leaves. If it pops right off, the pineapple is too ripe for this purpose. Make sure that there are no scale insects (they look like small grayish spots) at the base of the leaves.
   
   
2. 2
   Cut off the crown and strip some of the lower leaves so that the stem is exposed. Trim any fruit flesh without damaging the stem (that flesh could rot your plant later).
   
   
3. 3
   Turn it upside down and let it dry for about a week so that the cut end and the leaf scars can harden.
   
   
4. 4
   Put the crown in a glass of water until the roots start growing out. Change the water every few days. Keep it away from temperature extremes.
   
   
5. 5
   Plant the crown in an 6-inch (15.2 cm) pot using light garden soil with a 30% blend of organic matter. Press the soil firmly around the base of the crown without getting any soil on the leaves.
   
   
6. 6
   Keep the plant moist (but not wet) in a sunny, warm and humid place where the night temperatures won't drop below 65ºF (18ºC). If conditions are dry, mist the plant regularly.
   
   
7. 7
   Water the soil lightly once a week.
   
   
8. 8
   Fertilize the plant with half-strength fertilizer twice a month during the summer.
   
   
9. 9
   Look for flowers. It can take several years, but eventually a red cone should appear from the center of the leaves followed by blue flowers and eventually a fruit. It takes about six months for the fruit to fully develop. The pineapple will grow from the flower, above ground, in the center of the plant.