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Tropical Pineapple
This tropical fruit is a total game-changer for snacking, cooking, and decorating. Its sweet and tangy flavor is a great addition to any meal or dessert - think smoothies, pizza, and even grilled meats. It's perfect for adding a pop of flavor and color to your dishes, and I've even used it to make some pretty amazing desserts.
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My Pineapple Experiment: What I Learned from Growing a Fruit on My Windowsill
summarizeEditor's Summary
Growing a pineapple on my windowsill was a true adventure. I picked up a potted pineapple in July 2022, and despite having no instructions, I managed to coax it into producing a single fruit. What I learned was that patience and proper care can make all the difference. The process was fascinating, and I was thrilled to see the plant thrive. However, I soon realized that getting a second fruit might be a challenge. The journey was filled with ups and downs, but the experience was a great learning opportunity, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to try something new.
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BitkiYetiştirme7/10
My Pineapple Experiment: What I Learned from Growing a Fruit on My Windowsill
Hello everyone, welcome back to my series on gardening, indoor, and exotic experiments. Today, I want to share my experience growing a pineapple on my windowsill.
I picked up a potted decorative pineapple from a flower shop back in July 2022. It already had a fruit on it, which was still green and not ripe yet.
I didn't have any instructions in English, so I was clueless about how to care for it or what to do. It was definitely a unique and exotic plant.
I watered it as needed, and later I repotted it, which led to some surprising results - tiny roots started growing out of the soil.
I decided to transplant the roots, just in case I could grow more pineapples. I found out online that the pineapple plant usually only produces one fruit and then dies, but mine seemed to be doing fine.
By September, the flower stem had grown longer, the fruit was turning yellow, and the leaf rosette had increased in size. The fruit was roughly the size of a large chicken egg.
By December, it was clear that the fruit was ripe and had softened. I carefully cut it off from the plant. This decorative pineapple isn't edible, but I'm not sure why - it's just too small to be worth eating.
At this point, I'd seen tutorials on how to propagate the leaf rosette from a regular pineapple, but there are some nuances to choosing the right fruit. I'd tried it before, but this time I decided to approach it more systematically. I carefully selected a pineapple with a dense leaf rosette and a stem in the middle. And that's when I started my experiment with two crowns.
I'd read online that you should cut off the crown with the fruit attached. Other sources say you shouldn't have any fruit left. Then you dry it out, treat it with hydrogen peroxide, stick toothpicks in it, and place it over a container of water, making sure the base of the crown is just touching the water. That's exactly what I did with the store-bought pineapple. For the decorative one, I just stuck the top in the water. The leaves on the decorative one were a bit more spread out, so the crown didn't sink as far into the cup.
It's essential to understand that pineapples grown on plantations don't make it to our tables the next day. They can sit around for months before we buy them. Of course, natural decomposition processes have already begun in the fruit. The leaves aren't the freshest. When you separate them from the fruit and put them in water, the decomposition process speeds up. The base starts to rot, the leaves wilt, and they fall off the crown. It's not a pretty sight. I couldn't take it, so we had to say goodbye. My decorative crown, on the other hand, produced roots quickly.
Next, I just planted it in universal potting soil.
After a year, it was a pretty decent-sized shrub. However, the rhizome offspring grew very slowly, were finicky, and prone to rotting. They behaved completely differently. I ended up giving them all away, except for one that didn't work out. On the other hand, the crown leaves grew in like crazy.
The old plant started producing offsets and began to wilt.
The new plant exceeded its mother's size after two years. If you compare them, it's like they're completely different species, even though they're the same through vegetative propagation.
By the end of December 2025, the pineapple looked pretty unimpressive. The lower leaves were wilting, so I trimmed them off. It wasn't looking great, with no signs of flowering. I thought I'd have to get rid of it in January. But then, out of nowhere, in early January, I poked my head into the middle of the crown leaves and couldn't believe my eyes.
Around that time, I was pruning off the dead leaves.
And within 4-5 days, the inflorescence had poked its head above the leaves.
The more the flower spike emerges from the leaves, the more it seems like it's already a fruit.
Next steps:
1. Wait for full blooming and see what happens.
2. Repeat the experiment with the edible pineapple.
I'm also not giving up on my pitaya yet, as it's said to bloom in 2 years. And a feijoa wouldn't hurt to surprise me either.
I've written about my experience with sprouting loquats and avocados earlier. The exotic experiments continue...
What I learned from growing a pineapple on my windowsill:
It's essential to understand that pineapples grown on plantations don't make it to our tables the next day.The leaves on the decorative pineapple were a bit more spread out, so the crown didn't sink as far into the cup.The decomposition process speeds up when you separate the leaves from the fruit and put them in water.The base starts to rot, the leaves wilt, and they fall off the crown.The new plant exceeded its mother's size after two years.The old plant started producing offsets and began to wilt.What I would do differently next time:
I would choose a pineapple with a denser leaf rosette and a stem in the middle.I would cut off the crown with the fruit attached, or not have any fruit left.I would dry it out, treat it with hydrogen peroxide, stick toothpicks in it, and place it over a container of water.What I'm looking forward to:
Waiting for full blooming and seeing what happens.Repeating the experiment with the edible pineapple.Seeing my pitaya bloom in 2 years.Getting a feijoa to surprise me.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
How long does it take for a pineapple plant to produce fruit?
The process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on factors like temperature, watering, and light exposure.
Can I grow multiple pineapples from a single plant?
Unfortunately, most pineapple plants only produce one fruit per cycle, but you can try propagating the plant to see if you can get a second fruit.
How do I care for a pineapple plant?
Pineapple plants prefer well-draining soil, moderate watering, and bright, indirect light. Make sure to repot the plant when necessary and avoid overwatering.
What is the best way to propagate a pineapple plant?
You can try separating the roots or taking cuttings from the mother plant. However, the success rate may vary, and it's essential to research the best method for your specific plant.
Can I grow a pineapple plant indoors?
Yes, pineapple plants can thrive in indoor conditions, but make sure to provide sufficient light and maintain a consistent temperature between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C).
How do I know when a pineapple is ripe?
A ripe pineapple will be soft to the touch, have a sweet aroma, and a yellow or golden color. Avoid squeezing the fruit too hard, as this can damage the plant.
Can I eat the leaves of a pineapple plant?
No, pineapple leaves are toxic and should not be consumed. Only eat the fruit and use the leaves for decorative purposes.
How do I store a pineapple plant during the winter?
Pineapple plants prefer temperatures between 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C) during the winter. You can store the plant in a cool, dark place or bring it indoors and maintain a consistent temperature.
check_circlePros
- •The process of watching the pineapple grow was incredibly interesting and educational.
- •The decorative pineapple made a beautiful addition to my windowsill, adding a touch of tropical flair to my space.
- •I was impressed by the plant's ability to adapt to its new environment and continue growing.
- •The fact that I could see the roots developing and the fruit ripening was a real treat.
- •The pineapple's unique shape and size made it a great conversation starter.
- •I appreciated the opportunity to learn about the pineapple plant's life cycle and care requirements.
cancelCons
- •As expected, the pineapple plant only produced one fruit, which was a bit disappointing.
- •The plant's flowering and fruiting process was quite slow, taking several months to complete.
- •I had to repot the plant, which was a bit of a challenge, but it ultimately paid off.
- •The plant's leaf rosette grew quite large, but it was a bit difficult to maintain its shape.
- •I had to be careful not to overwater the plant, which could have led to root rot.
- •The pineapple's fruit was quite small, roughly the size of a large chicken egg.
