How Long Does Pineapple Take To Grow & How To Grow

Are you wondering how long does pineapple take to grow? Do you know how to grow a pineapple plant? It is easier than you may think! You can even do it by reusing the top of a fresh pineapple you may have sliced up for a snack.

Growing a pineapple plant to the point where it produces fruit typically takes about 18 to 36 months, depending on the climate, growing conditions, and pineapple varieties.

Pineapples are tropical plants that require warm temperatures and ample sunlight, so their growth rate can vary significantly based on their environment.

The new pineapple plant process starts when either a pineapple top is planted or a sucker from the original plant is used to start a new plant. From planting:

1. Root establishment and initial growth (first few months): The plant focuses on root development and establishing itself in the soil.
2. Vegetative growth (up to 12-18 months): The pineapple plant grows leaves and expands in size. This phase is crucial for developing a strong plant capable of supporting fruit.
3. Flowering (around 12-18 months or more): The plant will eventually flower, a process that can be naturally triggered or induced by treatments with ethylene-producing compounds.
4. Pineapple Fruit Development (5-6 months after flowering): Once the plant flowers, it takes about 5-6 months for the fruit to mature and be ready to harvest a ripe pineapple.

Thus, from planting to harvesting, the total time can range from 18 to 36 months, or sometimes longer, especially in less-than-ideal growing conditions or in cooler climates.

Pineapples grown in home gardens or non-tropical areas where they might need to be brought indoors during colder months can take longer to reach maturity.

How To Grow A Pineapple Plant:

How cool is it to learn how to grow your own pineapple plant and have fresh fruit right in your own home??

Plus not only do you get an indoor pineapple plant, but you get to enjoy a nice pretty house plant as well. Just be mindful that they do have spiky leaves so best to place them out of the way.

Because pineapples are tropical fruits, if you live in a cooler area or one that has winters, you will need to grow them indoors. At least in a container that is so, you can move it indoors when cooler weather is on the way.

Picking The Right Pineapple:

When selecting a store-bought pineapple it pretty much is the same for selecting the sweet and ripe fruit. You look for one that is slightly brown on the sides and not super green.

However, be sure to get one that still has a green top. Another thing to note is to make sure you do not get one that looks like it is starting to mold on the bottom.

You also want to stick with an organic pineapple as you will have the best success at regrowing it from one that has not been treated with chemicals.

How To Grow The Roots:

When you get ready to use your pineapple, cut the green top pineapple crown off first. You do this with a sharp knife right where the green attaches to the pineapple.

Then cut off any of the pineapple that may have been cut off with it. Next, you want to peel back a few of the green leaves so that you have about 1/4 inch of the core showing. You may even see some small roots starting under the pineapple leaves.

Get a small glass of water. Place the exposed core end of the pineapple top into the jar. You want it so that just that exposed core is touching the water and not the green leaves.

If you are using a small jar like a jelly jar you should have no issues as the green base of the leaves hits the edges and holds it out of the water. Place it in a sunny window.

Leave it like this for about 5-6 months to get good strong root growth. You will need to keep adding water to the jar as you want that core to stay in water at all times.

If the water looks a little off you can change it every few weeks. Just rinse the jar out and replace it just like before.

How To Plant:

The next step in learning how to grow a pineapple is to know how to plant it. After you have grown good strong roots that are at least a few inches long, your pineapple is ready to plant.

Get a large pot. I like to have one that sits on a plant dolly so I can move it around as needed. It makes it easier as the larger pot can be very heavy.

In the bottom of the pot put either about an inch of rocks or to make it lighter, you can chop up foam and place in the bottom. Chopped up pool noodle works really well. This allows for drainage but the foam also helps to lighten the pot.

After you have that in place, you can fill it with a nice loamy soil mixture. Then in the center of the soil, you can dig a hole that is about 3 inches deep and about 2 inches wide.

Place the root end of your pineapple plant in the hole and then fill the hole in with soil. If the roots have started to clump together in the jar, be sure to gently rub them to separate them some. Then lightly pack soil around the base of your plant.

Be sure to keep your plant in a warm sunny location. For the winter months or areas that do not see a lot of sun, you can supplement sunlight with a nice grow light hanging above your plant.

Also, don’t forget to water your plant. It does not need to be watered every day. I only water mine about one time per week and sometimes even a week and a half.

When watering, be careful not to over water. It only needs about 16 ounces or so to hold it for that length of time.

How Long To Produce Pineapples:

Now, I am sure you are wondering when you will see your first pineapple? One thing about when you grow a pineapple is you can not be in a hurry.

Much like many larger fruit trees and plants, they do not produce fruit super fast. In fact, the pineapple plant will not produce its first fruit for two to two and a half years!

Yes, you read that right, I said years. But when it does, the sweet edible fruit is well worth the wait! The total growing time will depend on the proper care such as water method, how much light as well as the varieties of pineapple you grow.

The fruit will grow right up from the center of the plant. When it gets large enough to harvest, you will use a sharp knife to cut it off at the base of the pineapple.

​Outdoor Planting:

Planting pineapples outdoors is a rewarding endeavor if you live in a suitable climate. Pineapples (Ananas comosus) thrive in warm, tropical to subtropical environments, typically USDA hardiness zones 10-11. Here’s a guide to help you plant and grow pineapples outdoors:

1. Choosing a Planting Site:

• Sunlight: Select a location that receives full sun for at least 6-8 hours per day.
• Soil: Pineapples prefer well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 4.5-6.5). Amend heavy clay soils with sand or organic matter to improve drainage.
• Space: Space plants about 2-3 feet apart, as pineapple plants can spread up to 3-4 feet wide.

2. Plant Preparation:

• Starting from Tops: The most common method is to plant the top of a store-bought pineapple. Cut off the top, peel away the lower leaves to expose the stem. As noted above, place in water to allow root growth.
• Suckers or Slips: These are shoots that grow around the base or along the fruit of an existing pineapple plant. They can be removed and planted directly.

3. Planting:

• Planting Depth: Plant pineapple tops, suckers, or slips so that the base is just below the soil surface. Ensure that the exposed stem section of a top is well buried.
• Watering: After planting, water the soil to settle it around the roots or base of the plant. Pineapples have shallow roots and require consistent moisture, but overwatering can lead to root rot. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and control weeds.

4. Ongoing Care:

• Fertilizing: Feed your pineapple plant with a balanced fertilizer every few months during the growing season. Specialized pineapple or bromeliad fertilizers are also available.
• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture, especially during hot, dry periods. However, ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
• Cold Protection: In areas that experience cooler temperatures, protect your pineapple plant with blankets or move the tropical plant indoors if potted during cold snaps.

5. Harvesting:

• Time to Fruit: Outdoor-grown pineapple plants typically produce fruit in about 18-24 months.
• Signs of Readiness: A ripe pineapple changes color from green to yellowish at the base, emits a sweet fragrance, and sounds hollow when tapped. Harvest by cutting the fruit from the stalk with a sharp knife.

6. Pest and Disease Management:

• Keep an eye out for pests such as mealybugs, scale, and mites. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil as needed.
• Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot and other fungal diseases.

Growing pineapples outdoors requires patience and care, but the reward of harvesting your own fresh pineapple makes it a worthwhile endeavor for gardeners in suitable climates.

If you liked this post on how to grow a pineapple, here are a few other posts to check out.

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