I got hooked on growing pineapples in containers about 5 year ago. If you stay at Villa Casa Terramar you will see them around the property, typically we have 2 -3 growing in containers at any one time.
How do you grow your own pineapple?
It is a super easy process especially if you live in a climate that is warm year round, like Sayulita. Once a plant is started they grow large quickly which gives you a beautiful plant to enjoy as you wait for it to flower.
Here are the steps..
A great tasting pineapple can mean great future pineapple. So when I have one that is exceptional (so sweet it tastes like candy), I save that top. Instead of cutting the tops off I prefer to twist them. They are easier to root and less messy.
Once you have your top, remove some of the bottom leaves and put the top in a glass with water covering the bottom. In about a week to 10 days you will start to see roots. Note that you can plant the top without rooting first and just put it in soil. However, I have found that rooting first seems to insure that the plant starts out stronger and grows more rapidly.
Next it is time to plant! Typically I just use a mix of potting soil and pots that are about 12-18” in diameter. Water as needed when the soil is dry.
Now you wait but in the meantime you get to enjoy a beautiful, fuss free plant.
I’m waiting…when will I get a pineapple?
At about the 2 year mark, the plant will produce a flower and this is the start of your pineapple. After it flowers, it still takes another 2 months or so to grow into a harvestable pineapple. Sometimes you get super lucky and have twins!
How do you know when your pineapple is ready???? The fruit grows out of the plant on a stalk and once the stalk fall’s over the pineapple is ready to pick. It might still need a day or 2 to fully ripen but then it is ready for you to enjoy!
