If you are looking for a low maintenance plant that has fruit, doesn’t need much water and will grow in containers then a Pineapple Plant is the plant for you. Growing pineapples is a great way to start using compost at home and interesting to think about one of your family eating your own food later on!
But what most new gardeners don’t know is that growing pineapples isn’t easy. In fact, home gardeners have very limited success with this tasty fruit because most are just being grown as an ornamental plant. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a pineapple plant, then you’ve found the right place.
Quick Facts About Pineapple plants
- Scientific name: Ananas comosus
- Type of plant: bromeliads
- Native to: Central and South America
- Light requirement: at least six hours of bright light
- Water requirement: 1 inch of water per week
- Preferred humidity: Room level of humidity
- Preferred temperature: Between 20C and 30C
- Size upon maturity: between 3 and 6 feet high and wide
- Type of native soil: non-compacted, well-aerated and free-draining loams
- pH level: 4.5-5.6
- Fertilizer: Dry fertilizer mixtures
- Word meaning: dible, juicy, collective fruit of a tropical place
- Family: Bromeliaceae (flowering plants)
- Growing season: March until July.
What exactly is a pineapple plant?
Pineapples plants (Ananas comosus) are a type of bromeliad , which makes them a cousin to Spanish moss and the colorful bromeliads commonly grown as houseplants. They are tropical plants that thrive in warm climates. In fact, pineapples are so sensitive to cold temperatures that they cannot survive outdoors in most areas of the United States. But if you live in a warm climate or can provide an environment similar to what these shrubs experience in their natural habitat, you can grow your own pineapple plant.
Pineapples are grown on a woody base known as a “crown.” This is called a “mother plant.” The pineapple top contains several buds that eventually produce new fruit-bearing shoots or suckers. These suckers can then be transplanted into pots or used to start new mother shrubs.
Cultivation and History
Fresh pineapple has been cultivated according to cultural practices for thousands of years in many different parts of the world. The earliest evidence of cultivation comes Central America, from some Peruvian mummies that date back to 3000 B.C.E., but it is believed that they were growing pineapples even earlier than this.
The Spanish introduced pineapples to Europe in the 16th century, where they quickly became very popular with royalty and wealthy people alike. Today, you can grow a pineapple commercially in many tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica and Taiwan.
Pineapple Varieties
There are different varieties of pineapple that you can buy in shops and supermarkets. They have different tastes, smells and textures. Some are juicy and sweet, while others have a stronger taste which some people like more than others do.
Queen
The Queen is an early variety that is small in size and has a short stem. It is sweet and juicy and the flesh tends to be lighter in color than other varieties. The Queen pineapple is harvested in Hawaii during the summer months.
Red Spanish
The Red Spanish Pineapple has red-colored flesh and yellow skin. This variety grows best in tropical climates such as Florida or Hawaii where it can be harvested year-round.
Kona Sugarloaf
This is a small pineapple that is sometimes called the Hawaiian Sweetie. It has a sweet and juicy flavor, with a pleasant aroma. This variety is often grown as a container plant, or in a small garden.
Abacaxi
A small pineapple with red skin, yellow flesh and a sweet flavor. It’s native to Brazil, where it’s called abacaxi doce (“sweet pineapple”). Abacaxi is available year-round in supermarkets and often used for fruit salads or served on the half shell like an oyster. The rinds can be used to make preserves or candied fruit slices.
Smooth Cayenne
This variety has an edible leaf and a thick, red skin that is easy to peel. The flesh is juicy, sweet, and very flavorful. This variety can be used for fresh eating or cooking. The Smooth Cayenne is grown in Brazil and other tropical parts of South America. It is also known as the Red Spanish variety.
How to Grow Pineapples: A Complete Guide
Pineapples are not difficult to grow if you have a sunny spot in your garden and plenty of room. However, they do require a lot of space and care to produce the fruit.
Light
Pineapple leaves prefer full sun, but they will tolerate some shade, especially when young. However, too much shade will reduce the number of fruits produced by your plant. They can be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill or under high-output grow lights. If you live in an area with cool winters, you can also grow new pineapple plant as annuals outside during the summer months in full sun and bring them indoors for winter storage.
Soil
Pineapple tops grow best in sandy soil that drains well and has good fertility. Use compost or aged manure to improve the soil before planting.
Water
Water your pineapple plant regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy, especially when the fruit begins to form. Do not let the soil lose excess moisture completely between waterings, or the plant may suffer damage to its roots and fruit production will decline dramatically.
Temperature
Pineapples grow in tropical and will not tolerate first frost. They grow best in container gardens with a minimum temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Mature pineapple plant are sensitive and easily damaged by freezing temperatures or draughts, so they should be grown commercially outdoors only after all danger of colder climates has passed in your area.
Pruning
Pineapple leaves can be trained to grow in the shape of a pyramid. If you don’t want to grow your pineapple plant this way, you can prune it when you transplant it into its final container. Pruning a pineapple plant is essential because it will help keep your individual plants healthy and encourage fruiting.
Fertilizing
To grow pineapple plants, fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Shrubs should be fertilized again after blooming begins and again when fruits begin to form. This will help set only one fruit and encourage healthy growth.
How to Plant Your Pineapple Plant
To plant your plant, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Find the right place to plant.Pineapples grows best in climates with plenty of sun and warm temperatures. If you live in an area with cold winters, you’ll need to take extra steps during the winter months to protect your plant from frost damage. You can also grow pineapples indoors, but be aware that the shrubs will only produce single fruit for about 18 months before they become too large for indoor growing conditions.
- Step 2: Planting time is different for each kind of planting method.For container growing, start planting pineapples indoors in March or April so they’ll be ready to transplant outdoors when the weather warms up in May or June. For field planting, wait until June to plant seedlings because they’ll do better if they’re planted in indirect light when temperatures are warmer outside.Plant the crowns with at least one inch of the stem above ground level so it does not rot before it can grow new roots in the soil. Make sure that there are no weeds around your new plants because they will compete for water and nutrients with your newly planted shrubs.
- Step 3: Water thoroughly when you plant.This will help settle any loose dirt around its roots and make sure they’re well-established and well-planted before winter comes around and dries everything out!
- Step 4: Fertilize according to directions.Pineapples like acidic soil so use an acidic fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate because they have an acidic pH level of 5.
- Step 5: Wait one year before harvesting.If you want your pineapple plant to produce fruit for the first time, then wait for about a year before harvesting any fruit. This is because the shrub needs time for roots develop and establish itself before it produces any fruit. When the plant has grown enough to produce a decent amount of leaves, then it is time to harvest your first pineapple.
How to Harvest Pineapple Fruit
Harvesting pineapples is a tricky process that requires some special skills. If you’re harvesting pineapples for the first time, it’s best to learn from someone who has experience. The following steps will help you conduct a pineapple harvest like a pro:
- Step 1: Selecting the best. Look for one that has a golden yellow color and is firm. You want to avoid green, wrinkled or soft fruit. If possible, pick the fruit off the stem so you don’t have to cut it off later. If this isn’t possible, then cut off the top just below where it meets the stem rather than cutting all the way through from top to bottom. This will help prevent bruising and damage during transport.
- Step 2: Cutting off the crown. Cutting off the pineapple crown is another important step in harvesting pineapples. Cut off about an inch above where it starts to grow from the shrub, using a sharp knife or saws. If you want to keep your pineapple plant alive after cutting off its pineapple crown, fill a jar with warm water and place the crown of the pineapple inside, submerging the bottom of the stem. Make sure that you do not cut too deep into the excess fruit stem or leave any part of it behind on the small hole as this may cause root rot disease in future and kill your shrub completely.
- Step 3: Removing leaves from fruit. The leaves are not edible, so you don’t have to worry about those. To remove the leaves, cut off the pineapple top of the ripe pineapple with a knife or a pair of scissors. Then use your fingers to peel off the leaves around the excess fruit and discard them.
- Step 4: Cutting pineapple into segments. Once you have removed all of the leaves, it is time to cut up your pineapple into segments using sharp knife. You can cut its fruit flesh in either lengthwise or crosswise depending on what kind of look you want in your finished piece. A good strategy is to make sure that each segment has at least one eye (the little yellowish dots on a pineapple). The eyes are where remaining fruit grows from, so if there aren’t any eyes on your piece then it won’t grow anymore!
Pests, Diseases, and Treatment
If you find your pineapples have pests, diseases or environmental issues, you can treat them using several methods.
Mealy Bugs
Mealybugs are small white insects that live on the underside of dead leaves. They suck sap from the plant and excrete honeydew which causes sooty mold to grow on the leaf surface. The sooty mold can interfere with photosynthesis by blocking light to parts of leaves.
Treatment: Mealybugs can be controlled by removing them by hand or with a strong spray of water. Insecticides may also be effective at controlling mealybugs if they are applied when infestations first appear but may be less effective later in the season when populations have increased significantly.
Mites
Mites eat the sap of plants by puncturing plant cells with their sharp mouthparts and then sucking out the contents. While they do not directly damage the bottom leaves, they can cause considerable damage by removing all of the juice from the fruit and leaving it dry, crinkly and discolored.
Treatment: The best way to control red spider mites is to use insecticidal soap or horticultural oils when temperatures are above 85 degrees Fahrenheit for several days in a row.
Pineapple weevil
The pineapple weevil is a small brown beetle that damages the lower leaves and fruit of pineapples. It is native to Africa, but has become established in many countries in the Americas, including the United States. The larvae feed on young leaves and cause them to die prematurely. The adult beetles feed on new shoot tips, causing them to wither and die.
Treatment: The best method for controlling pineapple weevils is preventing infestations by removing plant debris from around growing pineapple plants after harvest each year. In areas where this pest is already well established, insecticides may be used to control populations of adults and larvae before they cause significant damage to shrubs.
Crown rot
Pineapple crown rot is a soil borne fungus that causes brown spots (root primordia) on the lower leaves, which eventually lead to wilting and death of the infected bottom leaves.
Treatment: To prevent this disease, make sure that you keep your shrubs well drained and free from excessive moisture. Also avoid overwatering or overfertilizing the plant, as this increases susceptibility to crown rot.
Best Uses of Pineapple Plants
Pineapple plants are not only beautiful, but also edible and beneficial to your health! Here are some of the best uses for mature pineapple plant:
Medicinal Uses
Pineapple contains an enzyme known as bromelain, which is responsible for breaking down protein and can be used to treat inflammation and aid digestion. Bromelain also helps to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and reducing inflammation in the body. It can be used to treat sinusitis, bronchitis, arthritis and swelling of the mouth or throat. It can also help relieve the pain associated with earaches by reducing inflammation around the ear canal.
Culinary Uses
The sweet flavor of pineapple fruit flesh makes it a popular ingredient in desserts such as cakes, pies and tarts; salads; glazes for ham; and juice drinks. Store bought pineapples in a plastic bag are also commonly used in fruit salads and mixed drinks like piña coladas and daiquiris.
Decorations
Pineapples are also very popular wedding decorations these days as they add an exotic touch to the wedding theme. The bridegrooms can wear pineapple cufflinks and everyone will be amazed at how creative you are with your choice of wedding decorations!
If you want to throw a Hawaiian-themed birthday party then you need some store bought pineapple decorations too! You can get Hawaiian leis for all the guests so that they feel like they are in Hawaii while celebrating your friend’s birthday party!
FAQs
How many pineapples can you get per plant?
The number of pineapples you can get from each mature plant varies. Some shrubs will produce one fruit, some will produce two and some as many as four or five. The overall answer is that it depends on the variety of pineapples growing.
Is pineapple a fruit or a vegetable?
Pineapple is a fruit! It’s technically a berry but it’s called a ‘fruit’ because it grows on the top of the plant instead of hidden in the middle like many berries do.
How long does it take to grow a pineapple flower?
It takes about 6 months from planting your pineapple seed until it starts spreading its leaves out and forming its first pineapple leaf. Once that happens, it only takes another 6 months for your first pineapple to be ready to harvest!
How long does it take for a pineapple to ripen?
The best way to tell if your pineapple is ripe is by smelling it. If you can smell it from across the room, then it’s probably ripe enough for eating. The tropical plant should also feel heavy for its size and have an orange color on the bottom half of its skin.
Takeaway
Pineapples are known to be one of the most difficult produce to grow. However, their popularity has seen a resurgence in recent years, and that’s apparently created an increased demand for them. Hopefully, if you’re looking to grow pineapples, this guide will give you the information you need to get started. And remember to watch out for the thorns!