From Food Waste to House Plant: Pineapple
By: Luke Fish (Farm Intern) & Kaitlyn Dykstra (Farm Manager)
Did you know that you can clone a pineapple? The top of a pineapple possesses the capability of rooting and fruiting again! Every pineapple purchase is a bogo if you’re patient enough. Starting a pineapple is much like the process of sprouting an avocado pit: you will need a few toothpicks, a glass of water, and the inedible, leafy portion of a pineapple. When fully grown, your new plant will yield a single pineapple—identical to the one you’ve just eaten!
How to Start a Pineapple Plant:
- Remove the crown of the pineapple with a knife, or by a twisting motion.
- Clean off excess fruit from the base of the crown.
- You should be able to see small brown dots on the bottom, if not, carefully use a knife to trim down the end until you can see the dots.
4. Remove bottom leaves until a few inches of stem are exposed.
5. Turn the crown upside down and dry for 1 week.
6. Insert 3 to 4 toothpicks around the perimeter of the stem, at a distance appropriate for the container of water you are using. Or use a jar with a narrow opening so the crown will stay at the top.
7. Place the crown in water such that the leafy portion is above the water, while the stem is submerged.
8. Situate the plant in an area of direct sunlight and monitor water level so that the stem remains submerged. Wait and watch for roots to emerge!
Years of patience may be required in order to grow a fruiting pineapple plant, but a rooting crown makes for an interesting indoor plant! Once your crown develops plenty of roots, you can transfer it to a pot with well drained soil and continue to water it as needed.
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