The tropical fruit is easy to grow on the windowsill. We show you what you need to know about planting and propagating pineapples.

You can also grow pineapples on the windowsill or in the conservatory - we'll tell you how it's done

The pineapple (Ananas comosus or Ananas sativus) is one of the most popular tropical fruits and can actually be found in every supermarket. However, this family member of the bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) can also be grown at home. We'll show you how it works.

Pineapple: ways to grow it

Pineapples can be grown in a number of ways: either by buying a pineapple seedlings or by regrowing a pineapple. The easiest and risk-free option is of course to buy a young plant that has already been brought forward. However, pineapple plants are not that easy to find in our latitudes. Allowing it to regrow requires some gardening skill and patience in order to be able to harvest your first pineapple yourself at some point, but it is significantly cheaper. Whichever option you ultimately choose, we have prepared instructions for both variants in this article.

Pineapples can be grown both by purchased seedlings and by the regrowing method

The perfect location for the pineapples

The pineapple comes from the tropics and therefore likes it warm and humid all year round. That's why we can only grow it indoors in a pot. She therefore particularly likes a sunny spot on the window sill (but not directly above the heater) or in the sun-drenched and heated conservatory. It thrives best when temperatures are consistently between 25 and 30°C. If the thermometer falls below 16 °C, the tropical fruit gets too cold. So you should avoid that as much as possible. High humidity is also important for the pineapple, it should be at least 60 percent. The best way to achieve this is to regularly spray the plant with water. The pineapple also needs to be well ventilated, so put it in a place where the air is always goodcan circulate. She doesn't like drafts at all.

The pineapple does not make any great demands on the substrate in the pot, it should only be loose and permeable. A high mineral content in the substrate is also beneficial. The ideal pH for pineapple is around 5.

What is the perfect location for the pineapple?

  • Sunny
  • No blazing midday sun
  • Warm, between 25 and 30 °C
  • Never below 16°C
  • Humidity at least 60%
  • Well ventilated but no drafts
  • Loose, well-drained substrate with a high mineral content
  • Optimum pH: 5

Growing and planting pineapples

Before planting your pineapple, first prepare the pot and the substrate. Choose a sufficiently large planter, as the pineapple grows very large and sprawling. The pot should also have a drainage hole and a saucer. Then create a drainage layer in the pot to prevent waterlogging. To do this, fill expanded clay or shards of clay in the planter. Now mix the soil by adding 1 part sand and 1/2 part coir to 3 parts ordinary potting soil. You can also enrich the substrate with a long-term organic fertilizer to provide the pineapple with sufficient nutrients right from the start. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer contains all the important nutrients for the pineapple and also releases them gently and slowly to the plant.

Pineapple needs a suitable container and the right substrate to grow

Now fill the planter up to a third with substrate. There the pineapple plant is placed in the middle. Then fill the pot with the rest of the substrate and water everything well. Remove excess water from the cachepot after a few minutes.

How to plant the pineapple correctly?

  • Select the right planter
  • Mix the substrate and enrich it with a fertilizer with an organic long-term effect
  • Create drainage layer
  • Fill a third of the pot with substrate
  • Insert plant in the middle
  • Fill the pot with substrate
  • Cast on

Regrow Pineapple: Instructions

Instead of growing them the traditional way, you can regrow pineapples easily. The first thing you need, of course, is the fruit itself. It should have he althy foliage and be medium ripe. With a sharp knifecut off the top part of the pineapple. Also cut off all the flesh around the stalk, leaving only the stalk. The lowest leaves on the stalk should also be carefully pulled off from top to bottom. About ten leaves should remain. It is important that the stalk including the tuft of leaves remains intact, otherwise no he althy roots can form for the new plant. Alternatively, you can twist the stalk out of the fruit - this saves you having to cut it.

To allow regrowth, cut off the stalk and remove superfluous leaves

Now put the pineapple stalk in a vessel with water. The lower part of the stalk should be surrounded by water. A bright and, above all, warm location is very important for this step. After all, the pineapple doesn't like the cold at all. You should also change the water regularly. After some time you will see the first roots. Once new roots have formed from the pineapple stalk, it can be planted in a container with substrate. An extremely bright and warm location with high humidity is also important here.

A window sill with plenty of daylight is certainly ideal, but not directly above a heater. Now we have to wait and see, because it can take up to two years for the plant to grow back and bear its own fruit. Of course, regular watering should not be forgotten either.

Step-by-Step Instructions - Regrow Pineapple:

  1. Select he althy, medium-ripe fruit
  2. Cut off or twist out the stalk with a sharp knife
  3. Remove all pulp from the stalk
  4. Remove all superfluous leaves except for about 10
  5. Put stem in water
  6. Place in a bright and warm place
  7. Change water regularly
  8. As soon as roots have formed, plant in substrate

Tip: Not only pineapples can be propagated via regrowing. In the book "Regrow your Veggies" by our Plantura co-founders Melissa Raupach and Felix Lill you will find precise step-by-step instructions for regrowing over 20 delicious fruits and vegetables.

We have compiled further information on pineapple care and harvest for you in our overview article.

Category:

Fruit