How to Grow Your Own Pineapple From Home

Pineapples not only taste great, but the pineapple has remarkable healing properties too!

Pineapples contain Vitamins A and C, and are a great source of an enzyme called Bromelain. This remarkable enzyme is found in all varieties of pineapples. Bromelain is known to aid the body’s digestive system and has anti-inflammatory properties.

For centuries, pineapples have been used to treat illness, and today pineapple is still used in the healing of a variety of medical problems, including heart disease, arthritis, and upper respiratory infections. Research has shown that when taken with antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, Bromelain has been found to increase the actions of these drugs.

Living on Kauai and having access to the most delicious pineapples on the planet, you are inspired to attempt to grow your own, but you can grow your own pineapple right where you live! It just takes a little patience and time. If you live in a cold climate, you can cultivate it as an indoor plant.

This is one that I’ve grown from a pineapple top—You can do it too!

Here are the steps that I’ve learned that work for me:

1. Save the top of a healthy pineapple you have just purchased.
2. Hold the body of the pineapple in one hand and twist the top of the pineapple with the other. The top will twist off with part of the stalk.
3. Strip off any pineapple flesh that may have been pulled out, and then strip off the lower leaves, so that about 1-2 inch of clean stalk is showing.
4. Place this stalk in a glass of water, out of direct sunlight and temperature changes (I find the top of a refrigerator works well). Change the water every few days, and in about 3 weeks you should have roots on your pineapple top.
5. Once you get roots, it is ready to plant and can be planted in a container that has good drainage (rocks on the bottom help keep the plant from holding too much water). Keep the soil moist, but NOT wet. If it is kept too wet, the plant will rot. Locate the plant to a sunny location–it needs lots of sunshine, or use a grow light. It will take 6-8 weeks before you see some new sprouting. Be sure your container is large enough as the plant will grow to about 2 feet in diameter.
6. Fertilize every few weeks and use care, so that you do not over water. Be patient, as a pineapple does not begin to fruit for 20-24 months, although you will have a beautiful tropical plant while this is happening.
7. A potted pineapple plant will not be able to develop a full-size fruit, as a field plant will actually grow to be 4-5 feet in diameter, but you will have a fruit that you can proudly say you grew!

And while we are talking about pineapples, be sure to check out Kauai’s fabulous Pineapple House now being offered for sale. Everything has been done in this fully remodeled and restored plantation-style home, so all you need to do is pack your bags and move in! This is a great central location just minutes from the airport, and walking distance to the beach and Wailua River. Don’t miss this gem of a home!

A view of the front entry to the “Pineapple House” on Kauai, Hawaii

Outdoor patio with tropical landscaping

Call Ilona at 808-635-1495, or Lucy at 808-651-5676 for more information on the Pineapple House. We are here to assist you with your Kauai real estate needs. Have a wonderful aloha day!