Thoughthe pineappleplant ( _ Ananas comosus ) _ is native to Brazil , it also develop well in the warm , coastal climates of Florida , California and Hawaii — orU.S. Department of Agricultureplant hardiness zones 10 through 11 . But because pineapple plants are low - maintenance and develop inside as successfully as they do outside , they are an idealistic fruit plant for even a tyro nurseryman hold out in any location . Get a head start by growing a new pineapple plant from the top , or crown , of a mature pineapple plant fruit instead of from seeds .
Things Needed
Pick a Pineapple
When choosing a pineapple to part the new plant , anorganic fruitwith bright , strong and vibrant leaves is best . Avoid pineapples with brown , spotted , wilted or utter leaves . Pick a chubby Ananas comosus that is evenly ripe — more gold than fleeceable , with loyal , smart - bet skin — keeping in mind that the sizing of the fruit does not necessarily dictate ripeness . The experts at Dole also intimate that even if the leave of absence can be slay easily by hand , the yield may not be advanced .
Warning
Unripe pineapple fruit arepoisonousand may do throat irritation or an upset tum if ingested . Avoid contact with sap from the leaves of unripe pineapples because it may irritate cutis or make severe mouth pain in the neck .
Cut the Crown
Sliceoff the top of the pineapple plant as airless to the leaf as possible — about half an inch below them — and swerve away any overweight fruit that rest until theroot buds(small , brown - colored bumps around the bow ) are seeable . Trim away a few of the smaller , humble leave to queer at least an inch of the fore for planting . Place the newly cut summit in adark , ironic placefor one week until the end hardens .
Tip
Remove the crown from the pineapple plant bytwisting it offinstead of slicing it . Hold the bottom of the pineapple hard in one hand and utilize the other to quickly wrestle off the top .
Pot the Top
A ananas top grow best in a clay pot with kettle of fish in the bottom for beneficial drainage . Add coarse crushed rock or lava rock to the bottom of an 8 - inch pot before topping with light , tight - draining garden dirt immix with 30 percent well - compost organic issue . The crown will also turn well in cactus pot mix or a mixture of peat , gumption and perlite . Burythe pineapple top in the soil up to the base of its leaves , usually about an inch deep , packing the soil firmly around the stem . Use a spray bottle to irrigate the potted pineapple top lightly .
Commitment to Care
A Ananas comosus plant is a relatively low - maintenance works , but because it can take two years or more before it bears any new fruit it ’s a retentive - term undertaking .
Expected Growth
A newly potted pineapple crown start to rout inone to three monthsand should be repot into a 10- to 12 - inch pot once newfangled leaves start to grow in the center . Test the root strength before repotting by gently tugging on the folio to see if roots are holding the dirt . After one yr , the plant can be pot one last time in a five - gallon plantation owner or pot .
Watering and Fertilizing
Pineapple plants thrive whenwatered lightlyabout once a week . tick off the filth every few days and water when it ’s ironic . keep off employ fertilizer when first pot the crown , but add any commercially uncommitted , water - soluble , time - release houseplant plant food around the base of the plant every three months subsequently . lap in solid plant food with an ample amount of water , per the maker ’s directions , or pour liquid fertiliser on the base of the parting and into the land . keep off pour any liquid plant food on the center of the plant because it may harm the young parting .
The Healthy Home Economistsuggests fertilize farewell with a diluted , liquid Pisces or seaweed photographic emulsion . Apre - dilutedfish or seaweed emulsion sprayed thinly on the leaves is the most user - friendly and least uneconomical option . saturated fertilizers recommend a dilution proportion of 1/8 loving cup fertilizer to 1 gal of water and must be used now because nutrient will evaporate if the diluted solution is kept too long .
Sunlight
Set the pineapple plant indoors in a sunny berth where it will receivesix hour of bright sunniness . Move the pot alfresco during the summer but come out it in a semi - shaded spot for a few days to avoidsun shock . Move it back indoors before the first rime in the decline .
