How to Regrow a Pineapple

March 20, 2017

To grow a pineapple plant, all you need is a fresh pineapple, which isn’t difficult to get. You will then need to separate the leaves from the fruit, and soak the base in water. In a few weeks, roots will sprout, and you can plant your pineapple plant in a container and wait for the fruit to arrive!

Choosing a pineapple

Look for one with firm, green leaves that have not turned yellow/brown. The skin should be golden brown and firm to the touch. Choose a ripe fruit: it should emit a sweet smell. Make sure it’s not too ripe – if the leaves come off easily, it’s too ripe to plant. Make sure there aren’t insects at the base of the leaves.

Prepare the leaves

Separate the leaves at the top by twisting it off (using a glove is a good idea) or slice it off. Make sure the base of the leaves are intact, which will have a bit of fruit on it (you don’t need it though).

Expose the stem

Strip off some leaves off the lower part of the stem to expose it – it’ll help the roots sprout. Cut away any remaining fruit without damaging the stem.

Dry it for a week

Let it dry for a week by turning it upside down. The scars where you made a cut and removed the leaves will harden, which is necessary.

Hang the crown over water

You’ll need a glass to prop up the pineapple crown upright. The glass needs to be large enough to fit the base inside but small enough that the whole crown doesn’t get submerged. Fill the glass with water. To prop the crown, stick a few toothpicks around it, then place the crown into the glass, making sure it’s suspended partially in the water. The stem should be submerged in the water, and the leaves should stick out the top.

Place near a sunny window

Once placed near a sunny window, it should take several days or up to a few weeks for white roots to poke out and begin to grow. Make sure the plant isn’t too hot or cold, and check the water to prevent mould growth. Once the roots are a few inches long, it’s ready to be planted into a pot.

Transfer into a pot

Prepare a 6-inch with soil for the crown. Ideally it should have 30% blend of organic matter. When planting, make sure the base of all the leaves are just above soil level – press the soil without getting soil on the leaves.

Wait for it to fruit

Thankfully, Singapore has an ideal environment for pineapples. To help it root, you can slip a plastic bag over the top of the pot to create a mini-greenhouse effect. Water the soil lightly once a week and fertilise it twice a month.

It can take several years before you see blue flowers bloom from the centre of the plant; and after that you’ll see a fruit, which grows from the flower itself. It takes 6 months for the fruit to fully develop.

Now it may not seem like a quick way to eat pineapples, but think of it as growing a decorative plant. The result – and reward – of your patience will be the fruit at the end.