Pineapples are pretty much the kings of the tropical fruit world. Not only are they a global favorite for snacking, but their juice is a staple in everything from smoothies to cocktails. The best part? You don’t have to live in the tropics to grow one yourself! There are actually a few different ways you can start your own pineapple plant right at home.
Growing from the Leafy Top
If you’ve just picked up a fresh pineapple from the grocery store (or if you’re lucky enough to have harvested one from your own garden), you can use that leafy green top to start a brand-new plant. While commercial farmers don’t usually do this because it’s a bit time-consuming, home gardeners love it. Plus, studies show that plants grown from the crown tend to be super hardy and vigorous.
Pineapples are part of the Bromeliad family, which means once the mother plant flowers and fruits, she’s done. That’s why propagating the top is such a great way to keep the cycle going. First, make sure you have a ripe pineapple. Slice off the top, making sure to trim away any leftover fruit flesh. Then, peel off the bottom few layers of leaves to expose the stem. Pop the crown into a jar of water, changing the water daily. In a few weeks, you should see roots starting to sprout!
Propagating via Suckers and Slips
In the commercial world, farmers usually propagate pineapples using “suckers” or “slips.” These are little baby plants that grow either from the leaf axils (the space between the leaf and the stem) or directly from the underground base of the plant. If you’re using a sucker from the leaf axil, you can treat it just like the leafy top method mentioned above.
Underground suckers are even easier because they often come with their own roots already attached! If you’re planning on propagating via root suckers, keep an eye on your pot for new shoots popping up. Once they peek out of the soil, gently clear some dirt away to see if they’ve established roots. Wait until they have a solid root system before you carefully detach them from the parent plant.
Growing from Seeds
Growing a pineapple from seed is definitely possible, but it’s not the most common route. It takes a long time, and it can be years before you see your first flower. Also, because of cross-pollination, you never quite know what kind of fruit quality you’re going to get. Still, if you’re a patient gardener, it’s a fun experiment!
To find the seeds, you’ll have to go on a bit of a treasure hunt inside the fruit. They’re tucked away in those little indentations that are usually a pain to peel off. The seeds are tiny—only a few millimeters long—brown, oval, and slightly ridged. Keep in mind that only fully ripe fruit will have viable seeds, and even then, not every pineapple will have them.
How to sow your seeds:
- Fill a seed tray with cactus potting mix.
- Spread the seeds evenly across the surface.
- Cover them with about half an inch of quartz sand.
- Give them a good watering.
- Keep the soil consistently moist until they sprout.
