How Do Pineapples Grow: Planting, Care, and More About this Tropical Treasure

Pineapple has been a symbol of warmth and hospitality for centuries. Whether recorded in historical folklore or practices in modern times, the pineapple fruit has been infamous for its unique pine-like design and leaves that make it a typical tropical fruit. 

It fascinates me how pineapple is the first fruit I grew as a gardener, and not only has this highly nutritious fruit been a treat to grow, but it has also taught me patience.

If you are also wondering how do pineapples grow? Let me take you through this rewarding journey along with some scientific and fun facts. 

What is a Pineapple Fruit? Discover this Tropical Gem 

Belonging to the Bromeliad family, Pineapple is a warm-season fruit, native to South America, and is hardy in zones 11-12. This tropical fruit gets its name from its unique body that has a pine-like resemblance. With its rosette-like leaves, like other bromeliad plants, it also stores water in the central cup. 

Pineapple is also a herbaceous perennial plant and returns every year after dying back in the winter, and can survive up to 7 years. This perennial fruit is extremely rich in Vitamin C and fiber, and is popularly used for its nutritional benefits in sweet and savory dishes. 

Before learning about “how do pineapples grow?”, explore the taxonomy of the pineapple for a better understanding. 

Botanical name	Ananas comosus
Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Liliopsida
Order	Bromeliales
Family	Bromeliaceae Juss.
Genus	Ananas Mill.
Species	Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.

What are the Different Types of Varieties for Growing Pineapple?

There are over 100 species of the pineapple fruit, which differ in shape, colour, size, and taste, just like the types of lettuce. 

However, instead of discussing this wide array of pineapples, let me introduce you to 4 popular categories that all of them fall into. 

Category	Image	Features
Smooth Cayenne Pineapple		The Smooth Cayenne pineapple is called the ‘queen of commercial pineapple’ as it is the most popular variety that is grown and sold globally. With a cylindrical shape and spineless leaves, it has golden brown flesh.
Queen pineapple		The conical shape, golden yellow body, and flesh set it apart from the groups.  Smaller than other varieties, it is mostly preferred to be used for fresh consumption rather than industrial uses.
Red SpanishPineapple		The Red Spanish pineapple has a more square shape and red coloured body that is popular in the Caribbean regions. It has a pale yellow flesh and high sugar content with spiny, margined leaves that can be hard to handle.
Abacaxi Pineapple		The name of this pineapple variety is derived from an Old Tupi word that means a ‘fragrant fruit’.  It has a more cylindrical shape and is advised to be consumed fresh.

How to Grow a Pineapple at Home?

Growing pineapple is an easy process that requires a lot of patience. Initially, I struggled with the question of “How to grow a plant from a pineapple?” until I discovered the simple 7-step trick that helped me yield the best results ever. 

Here is my 7-step guide on how to grow a pineapple top: 

1. Purchase a healthy pineapple from the supermarket, which is by ensuring the crown of the fruit is not damaged, and the leaves look firm. 

2. Now take the fruit and gently twist the crown to separate the fruit from the leaves. This will give you a base with hints of brown spots. 

3. Keep this base submerged in water; the base, not the leaves, and after a few weeks, the roots will start emerging. 

4. After this, take a 6-inch pot and fill it with a potting mix* and place it gently in the pot, 2 inches deep in soil. 

5. Keep the soil moist and the plant under direct sunlight, as it is a warm-season plant like Kalanchoe and likes to get its good share of sunlight. 

6. After the plant has grown new roots, shift it to a new and larger 10-inch pot. 

7. Unlike the Sedum plant, the pineapples need to be fertilised actively in the growing stage every 4 weeks with a 10-10-10 NPK fertiliser. 

Potting Mix 1 part compost – for additional nutrients 1 part perlite – better aeration 2 parts coconut coir- prevents waterlogging Mix it all, and your pineapple soil mix is ready for planting!

To make sure the planting guide is successful, take a look at the ideal growing requirements for growing pineapple: 

Soil Type	Sandy or loamy well-draining soil
Sunlight Requirements	6 hours of direct sunlight
Water	Moderately to keep the soil moist( drought-tolerant)
Hardiness	USDA 11-12
Fertiliser	10-10-10 NPK fertiliser

Bursting the Myth

I have had many gardeners starting off their journey ask me, “Do pineapples grow on trees?’ No, unlike the Bonsai tree, they are grown directly on soil and grow up to 5ft tall. 

How to Care for Homegrown Pineapple? 

Pineapple is a drought-tolerant plant, just like the barrel cactus plant, and can survive on moderate watering. This bromeliad variety is also really easy to care for once established and can survive for 5-7 years. 

The following are the essential care tips that are non-negotiable while growing pineapple: 

Sunlight and Water	The pineapple plant should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight and little shade in harsh afternoon sun.  Moderately water the plant to keep the soil moist, but look for waterlogging.
Fertiliser	These heavy-fertiliser feeders need to be given plant food in the growing stage frequently with a balanced fertiliser( 10-10-10 NPK), similar to the Hyacinth flower.
Pruning	Remove the dead and damaged parts of the pineapple plant after harvesting.  This helps in maintaining the shape of the plant and prevents the spread of diseases.
Pests and Diseases	This perennial fruit is affected by a variety of pests like mealybugs, spider mites, pineapple thrips, and more.  Symptoms of the pest infestations include wilting and colour change of leaves.  Treat these using either insecticidal soap or Neem oil.

How to Propagate After Growing Pineapple? 

Pineapple is the easiest fruit to propagate, as all the bromeliad varieties grow offshoots that are used for propagation, which makes the entire process much easier and less time-consuming. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to propagate the pineapple plant using offshoots: 

Image	Steps
	The pineapple plant produces small suckers and slips on its leaves and under the fruit after flowering.  Detach these offshoots carefully without damaging the stem or the leaves.
	Twist and separate the crowns of the mini pineapples from the fruit and put them in water until new roots emerge.
	When the roots have emerged, prepare a well-draining pot and a soil mix for the pineapple plant and place it in the pot.
	After a few weeks, new roots and leaves will start to form. As the plant gets bigger, it can be shifted to a larger pot.  Water it well during the growing stage and make sure it receives direct sunlight for 6 hours.

When and How to Harvest the Pineapple Fruit? 

Pineapple takes around 3 years to bear fruit, and picking it feels like a reward for patience. This simple step is nothing but a matter of timing, and I am here to tell you exactly when and how to harvest the pineapple fruit to enjoy the best yield possible. 

1. The best time to harvest pineapple is from May to August. 

2. To check the ripeness of the fruit, press the fruit gently. A ripened pineapple will be softer than usual and will be accompanied by a sweet aroma. 

3. After checking the same, take a sharp pruning shear and separate the fruit from the base of the plant carefully. 

4. Pineapples should be harvested in the morning, as this ensures a longer shelf life. 

Did you know? 

It is illegal to grow pink pineapples as they have been trademarked by Del Monte, and they own the right of this fruit. So, growing them can actually get one into legal trouble. 

Common User Concerns and Solutions About Pineapple Growing

How to grow a pineapple top for the best result might be a tricky question for new gardeners. 

While scrolling through Reddit, some pineapple planters discussed and raised queries that even I had initially. 

Read and explore the common queries and their easy solutions: 

1. Tips for taking care of this pineapple plant?

   

   • The plant should be watered regularly, but do not keep the soil soggy, as it can lead to root rot. 
   • Make sure it receives direct sunlight for 6 hours and is moved indoors in winter. 
   • Prune the dead and damaged parts of the plant to maintain proper shape. 
2. Help!! Can I save or regrow my pineapple plant??

   

   • The plant in this Reddit query has dead leaves above the ground and can not be revived.
   • A Rooting hormone is generally used to revive a plant’s health. However, in my opinion, this plant seems entirely dead and can not be saved. 

Scientific Research and Findings About the Pineapple 

This highly nutritious fruit has been used for its therapeutic purposes for centuries. Pineapples contain bromelain that is believed to be the reason of its health benefits. 

While researching the plant, I came across the following research paper that discussed the effectiveness of these claims through animal models: 

Research summary box 1  Study year: 2011  Aim: To analyze the effects of fresh bromelain and pineapple juice in treating the early stage of Acute crush Achilles tendon injury.  Sample type: 24 Achilles tendon injury induced 24 rats, divided into 3 groups:  No treatment Oral bromelain treatment Fresh pineapple juice Key findings: After 14 days of treatment, the rats were killed, and the Achilles tendons were examined, which presented the following results:  The bromelain increased the tenocyte levels, and so did the pineapple juice. However, the pineapple juice also lowered the MDA levels, which increases the oxidative stress and can cause blood vessel damage. It was concluded that the oral treatment with commercial bromelain has a better effect on the injury than the pineapple juice.  Source: Journal of Medicinal Food

Concluding Remarks

As someone who struggled with how do pineapples grow for the longest time, the process was rather simple, just time-consuming. However, growing the top of a pineapple was a rewarding journey that is the perfect example of how patience yields the most fruitful and nutritious results. 

This perennial plant has been a part of our culinary history as a rich source of taste and aroma, with health benefits that can not be ignored. From fruit salads to jams and juices, learning how to grow a pineapple is never a waste. 

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