This ultimate guide on how to grow pineapple will help you to propagate, grow and care for your pineapple plant in your garden. Moreover get to know about growing season, potting mix, and care.
Do you know that pineapple fruits have not only unique taste but they also have lots of health benefits. According to Health Line, pineapple fruit are loaded with nutrients and they have disease fighting antioxidants.
Consuming pineapple fruit can help in lowering the risk of cancer, boosting immunity, etc. That’s why it is quite beneficial to grow pineapple in the garden. Moreover, growing pineapple is not so difficult.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Pineapple is the third most important tropical fruit in the world. It is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 3 to 5 feet tall. A single plant produces around 200 flowers. And during the process of fruiting all join together to form a single multiple fruit.
Generally presence of pineapple plant in plant nurseries is rare. But don’t worry you can propagate it in your own garden from offset. Let’s now learn to propagate and grow pineapple.
How To Grow Pineapple?
Growing Season
Pineapple is a tropical climate fruit. You can easily grow them in plant hardiness zones 11 and 12. However, after propagation it will take around nearly 24 months to produce fruit. Therefore you need to have patience while growing this delicious fruit in your garden.
Potting Mix
Pineapple plant loves sandy loam soil with pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.0. Well drained moderately fertile soil is ideal for growing pineapples. You can also prepare ideal potting mix with 40% garden soil + 20% river sand + 20% cocopeat + 20% any bulky organic manure.
Selection Of Pot
Do not grow this plant in a small sized pot. Make sure to select at least 16 inches diameter pot. Also ensure to have 2 to 4 drainage holes at the bottom to remove excess water from the pot.
Pineapple plant hates waterlogging and it can even lead to root rot.
How To Grow Pineapple From Crown?
Pineapple Propagation Steps
Detachment
Twist off leafy top gently with hand to remove crown from the fruit.
Leaf Removal & Drying
Remove 1 to 2 inches leaves from the bottom part of the detached crown. Set the crown to dry for 1 to 2 days under shade.
Keeping In Water
Take a glass jar or cup filled with water of appropriate size and dip the bottom end part of the crown in the water. Do not submerge upper leafy portion under water. Water temperature should not be below room temperature.
Root Formation
Keep changing the water once after every 2 to 3 days. Within 3 to 4 weeks you will start noticing the growth of roots.
Transplantation
In nearly about a month root will grow up to 3 inches in length. Now you can transplant this in ideal potting mix. Keep the plant under semi shade and the soil evenly moist for 4 to 7 weeks. Avoid waterlogging to save your plant.
Pineapple Plant Care
Sunlight
Pineapple is a sun loving plant. It requires direct sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours daily to grow properly. Make sure to place your pot in such a region where your plant can receive adequate amount of sunlight.
Watering
Moderate watering is good for pineapple plant. However avoid waterlogging condition in the pot. Apply water in the pot once the top layer of soil becomes dry.
Fertilizers
Pineapple is not a heavy feeder. You can apply two handful of any organic manure like vermicompost once after every 30 days. Apply around the base of the plant and water well. Pineapple is a slow growing plant, hence it will take a year to grow and flower.
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