One way to grow your own pineapple is by starting from seed. I’ll be honest with you: it takes a bit of patience and effort! These seeds can be a little picky and need just the right conditions to sprout and thrive.
What do pineapple seeds look like?
Pineapples only produce seeds if they’ve been pollinated. When that happens, the plant creates countless tiny individual berries that fuse together to form the classic pineapple shape we all know and love. There are tons of different varieties out there, varying in size, flavor, and color. If you’re harvesting seeds from a store-bought fruit, keep in mind that it’s a bit of a gamble—you might get a surprise, as the fruit from your new plant might not taste exactly like the one the seed came from!
The seeds themselves are tiny—only a few millimeters long—and brown. They are oval-shaped, tapering to a point at one end, and usually have slight indentations on the sides rather than being perfectly round.
Preparing your seeds
Wait to harvest the seeds until you’re actually ready to plant them. To give them a little “wake-up call” and boost germination, soak the seeds in warm water for about 24 hours first. Pro tip: only use seeds from fruit that is fully, perfectly ripe. Since commercially harvested pineapples are often picked a bit too early for shipping, the seeds inside might not always be viable.
Make sure you clean off every bit of fruit pulp from the seeds. If any sticky residue stays on them, it can rot in the soil and kill off your tiny seedlings before they even get a chance.
How to sow the seeds
Since you’ll likely be growing your pineapple as a houseplant, you can start this project any time of year. I recommend using a mini indoor greenhouse filled with cactus potting mix. Spread your seeds out on the soil and cover them with just a very thin layer of quartz sand.
Next, give the soil a good misting. These seeds are humidity lovers—they need about 80% humidity to sprout! You’ll also need to keep them warm, ideally between 77°F and 86°F (25-30°C). Don’t get discouraged if nothing happens right away; it can take up to twelve weeks for those first little leaves to appear. The key is keeping their environment nice and consistent during that time.
