How To Grow A Pineapple At Home
How about having your own pineapple at home? It may be curious to you, but every time we buy a pineapple in the markets we have the possibility of growing another. How? very easy, using its crown, those fleshy leaves that it has at the beginning.
A classic and very simple technique that will allow you to grow this wonderful fruit with so many properties.
Why grow a pineapple at home?
We assure you that this technique is as simple as it is amazing. From now on, you should not throw away the remains of the pineapples you buy (at least the crown).
You will only need a jug with water, a pot with soil and patience to see it grow. It is a perfect experience for your children, they will love to see it in person every day.
And there is still more, why not say so? Pineapple is one of the healthiest and most beneficial fruits:
- It is diuretic and purifying, according to scientific studies.
- Prevents constipation, thanks to its contribution of fiber.
- Due to its components, it could have beneficial properties to activate metabolism, improve digestion and promote the elimination of fat.
- It has potassium, folic acid, vitamin C, B1, B6, as stated in this academic publication.
- It could be effective in eliminating possible intestinal parasites. There is research in animals.
Fantastic, right? We can make incredible desserts with it, as well as tasty natural juices to start the day with energy. Therefore, how can we resist growing a pineapple at home? We show it to you!
How to grow a pineapple at home
Very well, the first thing we should do is choose a suitable pineapple for our purpose. It should be a healthy pineapple, that is not soft when you touch it, and that the leaves that it has in its crown are green. Never brown or dark, but a healthy green.
If you have the opportunity to buy organic pineapples, which have not been treated with pesticides or other much better elements, in this way we will get another pineapple just as healthy.
Also note that its body does not have dark or gray dots and that it does not have insects. In essence, look for a pineapple that looks good and appeals to you.
First step
The first thing we will do is tear off the crown of leaves from the pineapple itself. It is better to do it with the hand before with the knife, since it is more natural and we will thus be able to obtain the roots of the plant itself. If we do it with the knife we will damage it and we run the risk that its growth does not set.
Excellent, now what we are going to do is remove the possible remains of pulp from the crown. This part of the pineapple is the area from which new fruits can be obtained, hence we have to clean it well to get the roots to re-emerge.
Also, we must slice that part below to allow the small cocoons already existing in it to emerge. Look at the photo above, what we have done is look for the small roots already present in the pineapple.
Second step
The second and essential step is to keep the crown of the pineapple in water. Find a roomy pitcher where this rosette of leaves can fit.
They should be like this for at least three weeks, it is the way in which the roots will end up coming out little by little.
It is important that you change this water every two days, and that you keep the plant in a place away from high temperatures. Very easy.
Third step
Very well, our plant has already taken root, which is the important thing. Now comes the key step of taking it to a pot.
It is essential that it be a large clay pot, never a plastic one. As a base, put gravel, in this way we will achieve good drainage and prevent the pineapple plant from rotting.
The soil that we will put should be normal, the one you normally use for other plants. It does not require special complexity or much care. It should be slightly damp, but not too wet or the plant is at risk of rotting.
Plant the crown of the pineapple normally and place it in a bright place where the sun will shine, but not excessively.
You must have patience. It will take longer for pineapple to shed stronger roots after six to eight weeks. After two months it will have more consistency. You only need to water it twice a week.
Do not worry if the leaves fall, it is normal and they will be replaced again, but also keep in mind that in winter they will stop growing. It will do it in the hottest months. It will take at least a year to appear, but in the end, this beautiful plant will offer you a pineapple.