Once you have decided where to plant your pineapple, dig a hole in the dirt. If you want to grow your own pineapples, there are three ways to get started. But even into the 1800s, a pineapple was still a novelty to most Americans. In less tropical climates, pineapples can be planted into pots inside your home. Slice Off Pineapple Crown. The pineapple — which is no relation to pine trees or apples — got its name through the combination of the Spanish "pina" (so named because it reminded them of a pine cone) and the English "apple" (so named because of its sweet taste). Pretty easily, actually. Yes, you can actually grow your own pineapple! Second, you could try starting the plants from seed. The colour of the leaves of your pineapple plant will tell you how well you are doing. Back in Europe in the 17th century, pineapples were grown in greenhouses and were a symbol of opulence and wealth, only adorning the banquet tables of the very rich. The first is to purchase a pineapple plant and grow it until it produces fruit. Keep it moist until roots develop. When you’re in the supermarket and picking a pineapple, make sure to look for one that’s plump and firm, and one with leaves that are fresh and green. Smell the pineapple to see if it's ripe: it should emit sweet, heady smell indicating that you've chosen it at just the right time to start a new pineapple plant. Pick out a fresh pineapple. So how exactly does a pineapple grow? How the Pineapple Became a Worldwide Symbol of Hospitality, Ditch Pleather, Pineapple's the New Faux Leather, Why Nandina Berries and Certain Birds Don't Mix, How to Use Native Plants in Your Holiday Decorations. Artisan Tea Farms Are Sprouting Around the U.S. By far the most famous plant in the bromeliad family, pineapples were first brought over to Spain by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Just be patient, though. Use a light soil mix with perlite and sand. Pineapples are a member of the bromeliad family, which is indigenous to the Americas (mostly South America), but has been found in Africa as well. Place the pineapple top in the soil up to the base of its leaves. Place the pineapple in the hole, and cover with dirt, leaving the pineapple leaves exposed above ground. Although it’s possible to sprout a pineapple in water, most people have better luck rooting them in soil. Here’s a great video on how to do it. Water thoroughly and place it in bright, indirect light. Once the pineapple is harvested, a new fruit will grow in its place the following year. So, if you decide that route isn't for you, you can buy one instead. It was not until the mid-1700s when Capt. Once the pineapple head takes root, it’ll take two to three years before it starts bearing fruit. James Cook introduced the pineapple to Hawaii and finally in 1903, when James Drummond Dole started canning pineapple, that the pineapple become readily accessible to Americans. It’ll grow to be almost 4 feet high by 4 feet wide. The first method is to place the dried pineapple crown in a cup of water, so that only the stem is submerged. 14 Surprising Food Facts I've Learned Over the Years, 15 of the Most Remarkable Trees in the United States, 7 Fruits and Veggies That Used to Look a Whole Lot Different Than They Do Today. Using a sharp knife, slice off the top of the pineapple fairly close to the … Put the cup in bright, indirect sunlight for about three weeks while the roots begin to grow. A pineapple starts and ends as the same product — that is to say, you need a pineapple to grow a pineapple. A pineapple starts and ends as the same product — that is to say, you need a pineapple to grow a pineapple. You end up with mulch and compost sitting in the bottom leaves, and as it breaks down it feeds the plant. How did it make this transition? Mix compost in with your soil before you plant the pineapple, and then mulch thickly around it. Fast-forward to today, and pineapples are everywhere. A lot of work for one pineapple. Pineapples don’t really have usable seeds, so … The hole only needs to be deep enough to cover the fruit still attached to the pineapple's leaves. Even though pineapples are considered a fruit (and a fruit generally comes from trees — unless it’s a berry), pineapples actually grow on a plant close to the ground. Most of us think of pineapples as coming from Hawaii, but that's not the case. Each pineapple plant bears exactly one pineapple. A tropical fruit, pineapples symbolized the exotic world, and would often be brought home to North America by sailors from their South American journeys. Ask Pablo: What's the Impact of Imported Tropical Fruit? Be sure to … Try one of two common planting techniques. Chanie Kirschner is a writer, advice columnist, and educator who has covered topics ranging from parenting to fashion to sustainability. Once it has matured, a large flower will grow in the middle of the plant and eventually be replaced by a pineapple itself. The third and cheapest, easiest way to produce your own pineapple is to start it from the green top of a fresh pineapple. Planting Pineapple Tops. Pineapples don’t really have usable seeds, so pineapple plants start from the pineapple itself, or more specifically, from the leafy top. So where did pineapple come from in the first place? Look for one with firm, green leaves that have not turned yellow or brown. The skin on the fruit should be golden brown and firm to the touch. In a tropical climate, a pineapple head can be placed directly into the ground.