I Have Started A Plant From A Pineapple Top Outside…
Glenda Asked
I have started a plant from a pineapple top outside and it’s doing very well. Should I leave it in the pot it’s in and bring it inside or can I transplant it outside?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Glenda in Kentucky: The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is native to tropical America. Unfortunately here in Kentucky we do not have the climatic conditions that are favorable in terms of growing the fruit outdoors year-round. It will not survive our winter temperatures and so it will need to be over-wintered indoors. Pineapples thrive when given full sun so place it in the sunniest window of your home. It is always fun to propagate new plants and it sounds like yours is doing well. Pineapples have interesting sword-like foliage, similar to that of a Bromeliad, which is in the same family. If your goal is to produce fruit, keep in mind that it can take a couple of years for it to bloom and the actual fruit will be much smaller than commercially grown pineapples. During the winter months it will not require as much moisture as it did in the summer. Every 10-12 days should be sufficient. You can fertilize once a month during the winter and then if you decide to take it back outdoors next spring you can increase your watering and fertilizing schedule. Remember when you take it back outdoors to gradually work it back into the full sun to avoid sun scald.
