I LOVE house plants but they are expensive in the stores. So I like to grow my own! Here’s how I have grown a pineapple plant from something we were just going to toss away!
Step 1: Get a ripe but not overripe pineapple. Look for one with a tall, green crown (the leafy part at the top). Cut the top off RIGHT where it hits the base. Use a big, sharp knife because this area is very tough.
Step 2: Peel off all the leaves on the last two or so inches. This will be the base of the plant. Rip the leaves downward, almost as if peeling them off. Be sure that there is NO pineapple flesh on the stem. If there is, it will rot and the plant will not flourish.
Step 3: Allow the plant top to dry and heal completely- about 7 days in a dry, dark place. Do not allow it to sit in full sunlight.
Step 4: Once healed & dry, place in a medium to large pot with potting soil. Some people recommend adding sand to the pot but mine has done wonderfully without it. Do not over water. These are tropical plants so cannot survive outdoors in my area (NC) so I will be bringing mine in this fall.
During the winter, keep it near a sunny window and in the summer you can bring it outside BUT be careful to slowly introduce it to direct sunlight by placing in a semi-shade area first for a few days. Don’t expect it to grow anew full size pineapple- although apparently it is possible I am growing mine for the foliage only.
I plan on doing this for each fresh pineapple I buy and giving them away as gifts! What a wonderful way to use something that would otherwise be tossed out!
Below is the one I grew from a pineapple we had this summer! She’s ready to come inside now that it is getting chilly!
Too cool! We have one that has survived a whole year, now.
Maybe I’ll use my $15/$15.01 lawn & garden coupon to grab some more planters! 😀