Learning how to grow a pineapple plant is a beautiful and tasty way to create your own tropical vacation at home. You're just going to have to wait a while for the fruit to come.
How to Grow a Pineapple
Updated on May 21, 2020
We love eating pineapples because of their sweet taste and juicy bite; just try to look through these pineapple recipes without drooling. Lucky for you, you can grow your very own pineapple plant in your backyard. Pineapple is a fruit that can be regrown from its stem, or crown. To get started, you’ll need a fresh pineapple, large planting pot and plenty of sandy soil.
Learning how to grow a pineapple is easier than you might think, regardless of where you live. We can almost taste that pina colada dip now.
How Do Pineapples Grow?
Your favorite tropical fruit grows from large, flowering plants in the ground or a large pot. Pineapple plants are pretty hearty and don’t require a lot of water or space to grow. What they do need is warmth; if you live in a colder climate, plant yours in a warm area of the house near a window.
How to Grow a Pineapple, Step-by-Step
Step 1: Slice off the crown
Select your pineapple at your local grocery store or farmers market. When preparing to slice it, remove the crown as close to the green leaves as possible.
Step 2: Pull off the lower leaves and allow to dry
This is the secret to convincing your pineapple plant to grow. The top of the pineapple must be dry. Carve out any flesh of the fruit from the crown (and save it for some pineapple sangria when you’re done.) Then pull off a few of the leaves from the bottom of the crown. This gives your pineapple plant room to grow roots into the soil. You may notice some small roots already.
Lay your pineapple crown on its side and allow to dry out for about 2 days.
Step 3: Plant in sandy soil
Once your pineapple crown feels completely dry, it’s time to plant. Prepare a large pot with soil and dig a small hole in the middle. You can also plant the pineapple in your backyard if you live in an area that stays warm year round.
Hold the crown upright and pack it with soil. Be sure it’s steady and doesn’t tip over in the soil. Lightly water your plant if the soil feels dry.
Step 4: Give light, water and warmth
Pineapple plants thrive in warm environments, so place your pot in a warm area of the house with plenty of sunlight. The tough, durable pineapple leaves do not need to be overly-watered. Wet soil can prevent your pineapple plant from flowering.
These plants absorb much of their water through the leaves, so water the top of your plant and feel the soil to make sure it’s not becoming too muddy.
How Long Does It Take to Grow a Pineapple?
Well, here’s the thing. You won’t be enjoying homemade pineapple salsa for at least a year or two. Your plant will grow large leaves first, then flower. Once it has flowered, you know the pineapple is on its way in about 6 months; it grows directly out of the flower in the center of the plant. When your pineapple turns yellow, it’s ready to be picked.
Pineapple Recipes to Dream About While Your Plant Grows
Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad
Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional “fluff” salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky
Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down CakeFor a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
Pina Colada Grilled PineappleDuring a cookout with friends, I forgot about dessert. I had a fresh pineapple and coconut, so I improvised. Now I grill pineapple at every cookout. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida
Pineapple Chicken ThighsThe sweetness of pineapple is delicious in the golden brown sauce that covers the chicken.—LaVonne Hegland, St. Michael, Minnesota
Caramelized Pineapple SundaesWhenever we get a craving for a tropical escape, this super simple recipe whisks us away in no time. Vanilla's nice but drizzling the sauce over salted caramel ice cream and taking a bite is just pure paradise. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi PopsKiwi, pineapple, sugar and water are all you need to make these easy, breezy freezer pops.—Colleen Ludovice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pina Colada DipIf you like pina coladas, you've gotta try this fluffy fruit dip. Scooped up with a slice of fresh pineapple, it tastes just like the beloved beachside drink. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southwestern Pineapple Pork ChopsThis quick entree will instantly transport you to the Southwest. Salsa plays lively counterpoint to the juicy pineapple-sweetened pork chops.—Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Pineapple Pie with Coconut CreamYou’ll find pineapples and coconuts everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Coconut-Pineapple Rhubarb BarsI make this crunchy, buttery dessert bar with homegrown rhubarb. For an added attraction, serve it warm with frozen yogurt or ice cream. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Grilled Peach & Pineapple SangriaGrill up fresh peaches and pineapple slathered in cinnamon butter and use them to make a refreshing summer sangria. I also like to add slices of grilled lemon and lime to drop in the glass for a citrusy boost of flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Banana-Pineapple Cream PiesMy mother gave me this simple and delicious recipe years ago. The recipe makes two pies, so it's perfect for a potluck. I've never met anyone who didn't like it! —Robyn Appenzeller, Portsmouth, Virginia
Curry Chicken SaladCurry chicken salad is flavorful, creamy, and crunchy all at once. Although certain ingredients may seem like an odd combination, trust us—it's delicious.
Pig Pickin’ CakeA pig pickin’ cake is a southern delight that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
Pineapple-Glazed HamThis pineapple-glazed ham recipe features a fully-cooked bone-in ham and a simple-to-make four ingredient pineapple glaze.
Pineapple-Coconut SmoothieUse fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington
Pina Colada Tube CakeWe named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Fresh Fruit SalsaThis salad has all the bright colors and fresh flavors of summer. —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York.
Pineapple Upside-Down MuffinsFor a modern version of upside-down cake, we use pineapple and a sweet batter to make fun muffins with a cherry on top. —Suzeanne Longwill, Ortonville, Michigan
Also, check out these healthy fruit snacks.
Pineapple CasseroleSouthern pineapple casserole combines sweet and tangy pineapple with savory cheddar cheese and a buttery Ritz cracker topping. It's a unique side dish perfect for holiday gatherings or potluck dinners.
Pina Colada Molded SaladMy gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Pineapple Shrimp Fried RicePineapple shrimp fried rice is a quick one-bowl meal that can be customized with your favorite vegetables. You can even serve it in a pineapple!
Pineapple PieThis creamy pineapple pie uses canned fruit and whipped cream to create a rich, sweet filling that sits atop a flavorful graham cracker crust. It takes less than 10 minutes to make and will shine on any dessert spread.
John's Pineapple-Cream Cheese MuffinsWhen I got married, my mother-in-law gave me her recipe for pineapple muffins so I could make them for my husband, John. They’re his favorites—and now they’re mine, too! —Diane Turner, Brunswick, Ohio
Pineapple-Ginger Chicken Stir-FryI found the original recipe for this dish on a can of pineapple slices in the 1980s. After making it for a number of years, I lightened the ingredients and adapted it to a quick skillet meal. My family gave it a big thumbs-up, and we've enjoyed it this way ever since! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Pineapple Upside-Down Muffin CakesA friend submitted this recipe to a cookbook our school district was compiling. The first time I made the cakes, my whole family declared the recipe a winner. Delicious and healthy to boot, they remain a favorite to this day. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Slow-Cooker Dump CakeOur crockpot dump cake combines the classic flavors of pineapple upside-down cake with the ease of slow-cooking. Just dump the ingredients in and let them simmer—it doesn’t get much better than that!
Hot Dog SlidersTurn all-American hot dogs into a fun international treat at your next casual party. They get three special treatments in this recipe: Chicago-style, Bavarian and south of the border. Bet you can't eat just one! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple SalsaYears ago I found a grilled tilapia recipe in a seafood cookbook. The pineapple salsa with cilantro has a touch of spice and goes so well with the flaky, tender fish. —Beth Fleming, Downers Grove, Illinois
Pineapple Cheesecake-Topped CakeMy brother-in-law asked me to make a cheesecake version of pineapple upside down cake, and after many attempts, I created one. It’s a yummy twist on a classic.—Rebecca Everett, Kansas City, Missouri
Tropical Cranberry CobblerThe sunny island flavors of pineapple and orange go so well with the tart cranberries in this dessert. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it a tasty treat. —Jeanne Holt, St. Paul, MN
Pina Colada Zucchini BreadPina colada zucchini bread is a fun new take on the usual quick bread loaf. This recipe is filled with tons of summery flavors, from tropical pineapple and coconut to heady rum and vanilla.
Coconut-Pineapple Sherbet TorteI made up this torte one afternoon, and when I served it that night, it vanished within minutes. That's when I knew I'd struck gold. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Teriyaki Pineapple DrumsticksWe have a large family and throw big parties, so I look for ways to free my husband from the grill. Roasted drumsticks keep everyone happy. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey
Frozen Hawaiian PieCool summer pies are one of Mom's specialties. This version offers pineapple, maraschino cherries and walnuts that are folded into a fluffy filling. It's an easy yet tempting no-bake dessert. —Jennifer Mcquillan, Jacksonville, Florida
Sweet-and-Sour MeatballsThis recipe for sweet and sour meatballs transforms pre-cooked meatballs into a delicious meal that's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or potluck appetizer.
Cream Cheese-Pineapple PieI've made this pie many times for friends, relatives, guests, church suppers and bazaars, and I'm always getting requests for the recipe. I've lived on farms all my life—we used to have a potato farm on Long Island, and now my son farms his own land and manages mine here in Delaware, growing soybeans and wheat. —Elizabeth Brown, Clayton, Delaware
Big Kahuna PizzaA prebaked pizza crust and refrigerated barbecued pork make this tasty supper idea super fast and super easy. Cut into bite-sized pieces, and it can double as a great last-minute appetizer, too! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Pina Colada Icebox CakeThis icebox cake has all the flavors of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Pineapple Star CookiesI'm grateful my neighbor gave me this special recipe. When you see the cookies' pretty shape and savor the pineapple filling and sweet frosting, you'll know they're worth the effort. —Sarah Lukaszewicz, Batavia, New York
Hawaiian WafflesI created this waffle recipe to recapture the memorable tropical tastes we enjoyed while visiting Hawaii. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Island Breezes Coffee CakeWith the island flavors, this simple pull-apart bread is perfect for a spring brunch. —Debra Goforth, Newport, Tennessee
Pineapple Pork ChopsWhat tastes like takeout but is ready even faster? Pineapple pork chops are drenched in a sweet and savory sauce to upgrade weeknight dinners.
Pineapple OatmealOatmeal for breakfast is a standard item, but I like to mix it up a bit. This version gets some natural sweetness from pinapple juice and tidbits. It is definitely worth trying! —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
