Pineapple Plant in fruit

Pineapple is one of the world's most unique and exotic tropical fruits. However, with a little care you can get a pineapple plant to ripen a fruit indoors.

Light is very important to ripen the fruit. Try and keep your plant near a window or skylight or in a porch or conservatory. On sunny days you can put it outside on a patio or balcony. This is a tropical plant that prefers warmth. A cool room is fine, but a draughty porch or a frosty conservatory is not. If it gets below 8ºC your plant will suffer.

Whilst the plant is in a small pot it will need regular, but not over generous watering. Remove the pot from its basket or pail before watering. Water the soil and the leaves a small amount several times a week in summer and once every week or two in winter. Ideally, the soil should be allowed to dry out on top between watering. To encourage plant growth, you may wish to add a liquid feed to the water once a month.

The fruit is ripe when it becomes golden at least half way up. This could take quite a long time, but the longer you wait the sweeter the fruit will be. Once you have harvested and enjoyed your fruit a little care and patience can get your plant to fruit again. The original fruit stem will wither and die off and then can be trimmed down but over time suckers or slips should start to develop from the base of the plant. These new shoots can be re potted and will slowly develop into a dramatic flower spike and eventually another ‘ratoon’ pineapple.

Problem Solving

In dry rooms you may notice the tips of the leaves turning brown, trim these discoloured leaves off and try misting your plant every other day to increase the humidity.

It is unlikely that you will get any pests or diseases, but if you do then just wash the leaves with soapy water.