Pineapples are readily available in most supermarkets and fruit stores, but did you know that you can grow your own pineapple fruit at home?

Growing a pineapple actually doesn’t require a lot of skills, but it does take up some time and lots of patience!

Nonetheless, this can be a challenge for budding gardeners or patient people who wish to pick up a new hobby!

It may take a while, but you’ll get to reap the sweet reward of picking and savoring your pineapple when all your hard work finally bears fruit!

Here are the instructions:

1. Choose a healthy pineapple with green leaves and a fruit color that’s more gold than green. Inspect carefully for bruising/soft spots.
2. Cut off the top where the stem is (also known as the crown). Remove any remaining fruit to prevent rotting after planting.
3. Remove some of the lower leaves, till about 1 inch of the stem is exposed.
4. Let the crown dry for a few days to allow it to dry out.  This helps prevent rot.
5. Put the top in a small bowl filled with about half an inch of water. The bottom should be submerged, but the water should not touch the leaves.
6. Place the bowl in a sunny spot (but not under direct sunlight) for two weeks. Change the water every few days!
7. After 2-3 weeks, it should be sprouting roots, indicating that it’s ready to be planted.
8. Fill a container that drains with potting soil, and plant the crown.
9. Put the pot next to a sunny window, and water your plant from the top, including the leaves.  Keep the soil moist without overwatering.
10. Don’t fertilize for the first 6-8 weeks, only do so when new leaves appear.
11. You will start to see bright blue flowers appearing when the plants are about 12-14 months old, but they won’t bloom till another 6-8 months. It will start to develop fruit after the last flower dies. You can pick your pineapple 5-7 months after flowering!

*Additional tips:

1. Pluck old leaves as they die in order to provide light and air for newer leaves.
2. Repot a plant when it outgrows its current container. Ideally, you should replant your pineapple in a bigger pot after a year.
3. Pineapples won’t ripen any more once they’re picked, so pick it when its ‘eyes’ are even from top to bottom. You can also tell when it’s ripened by the golden color and distinctive rich pineapple scent.
4. By adding pieces of apple on the plant, you can hasten the ripening process as ripe apples releases ethylene gas that encourages the pineapple to bear fruit.

We wish you success in planting your own pineapple fruit!

If you would rather save time and purchase the fruit to satisfy your pineapple craving now,