How to Plant a Pineapple Top: Regrow Pineapple Step-by-Step

Did you know that you can regrow a sweet, juicy pineapple from a discarded top? We'll show you how to regrow a pineapple and give you all the information you need.

You’ve probably heard that you can grow an avocado tree from the pit and regrow vegetables from scraps, but did you know the same can be done with pineapple? You can also regrow pineapple by propagating its scraps. You’ll get to enjoy the delicious fruit and avoid food waste!

The big question is: how long does it take to grow a pineapple? Unfortunately, this particular pleasure requires patience. After establishing your plant, it can take up to three years before it bears fruit, assuming it’s kept in ideal conditions. In the meantime, enjoy this unique-looking plant around your home. Learn how to regrow pineapple now. 

Why Would You Want to Regrow Pineapple?

Pineapples don’t grow on trees as you may have thought. Instead, they grow from a plant. The pineapple plant belongs to the bromeliad family. Bromelin is a healthy enzyme also found in pineapple peel. The leaves of the plant are spiky and spineless, with striped leaves. They are produced by selective breeding. 

There are lots of reasons to grow a pineapple plant. You can grow it inside, and it’s rewarding to grow food from scraps and save money. You can also move it outside during the warmer months.

Eventually, your plant will be able to provide you with fresh pineapples. With some love and care, you’ll reap the rewards.

It does take time for the plant to bear fruit. The warmer the temperature, the shorter that time will be, but plan for one to three years. 

Keep your eye out for a pineapple developing, and watch it grow for three to six months. When it starts to turn yellow, separate it from the plant using a sharp knife.

How to Regrow Pineapple

Give your plant a healthy start and watch it grow.

1. Buy a pineapple. Look for a ripe one with a sprouting of healthy leaves on the top. The leaves should be firmly attached to the fruit. Note that the softer pineapples we may choose for eating may have leaves starting to decay. So, choose a slightly firmer one than you usually pick.
2. Using a sharp knife, slice off the top, close to the crown. You can also use your hands and twist it off, but protect your hands with a towel to avoid getting pricked by the pineapple’s spikes.
3. Remove any remaining fruit, as leaving it will lead to rot.
4. If there is a lot of foliage, you can remove a few of the lower leaves, to loosen the roots.
5. Make thin slices in the stalk. You’ll see some circles. These nodes form the roots of the pineapple plant.
6. Leave the crown to dry for several days.
7. Plant your pineapple top. You can use any 6-8-inch flower pot with a light-draining compost mix. Place the crown about an inch under the soil.
8. Using a spray bottle, water lightly, just enough to moisten the soil.
9. Place in a warm, sheltered location like a windowsill or warm patio. Don’t place it in full sun until after the plant is established.
10. Only water when the soil is dry. Careful not to overwater, as pineapple plants are prone to rot. Think of it like a cactus or other succulent.
11. Watch your plant grow. It will take anywhere from one to three months to root, so don’t be tempted to tug it out to check in case you harm the delicate new root system.
12. Once rooted, you’ll see new leaves growing from the center. You can then re-pot it into a bigger container. After around a year, you can put it into a five-gallon planter and let it enjoy as much sun as possible. Keep it warm.

Tips for Successful Propagation

What else can you do to maximize success with your pineapple plant?

• All bromeliads, including pineapples, fare best in warm conditions. They also thrive in bright light.
• Water them from their center.
• Bromeliads are sensitive to chemicals, sometimes even those in tap water. Ideally, use harvested rainwater, filtered water or cooled boiled water.
• Use a spray bottle for watering, especially in the early days.
• You can use an organic fertilizer or homemade plant food once a month if you wish.
• Don’t let it totally dry out or overwater it. Moderately dry and lightly damp are as extreme as you want to go.
• If your plant flowers, it will begin to die after the flowering process. However, you can replant the tops of the new pineapples for more plants.

Wondering when the best time to regrow pineapple is? It’s whenever you get the most sun and temperatures are warm. Your plant will grow quicker in these conditions.  

Read more:

• Can You Freeze Pineapple? Yes: How-to and Recipes
• How to Grow a Herb Garden on Your Windowsill
• Growing Ginger: How to Grow Ginger at Home

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Tags: Food Food Waste Fruit Guide How-To's