How to Grow Dwarf Pineapples

Co-authored by Olivia Choong

Last Updated: February 9, 2023 Approved

Ah, dwarf pineapples—they may not be edible, but they sure are adorable. These little mini pineapples look great in flower arrangements and as drink garnishes, and you can actually grow them yourself at home! In this article, we'll walk you through how to grow your very own dwarf pineapples step by step.

Things You Should Know

Make a growing medium out of bark chips, osmunda fiber, or tree fern fiber. Add a little peat moss or vermiculite to the mix.
Plant the dwarf pineapple in a pot with the growing medium.
Grow the plant indoors in partial to full sunlight. Water the plant once a week.

Steps

1
Compose a loose, well-drained growing medium. Try large bark chips, osmunda fiber, large-size calcine clay, or tree fern fiber. Add small amounts of peat moss or vermiculite to hold water.
2
Plant the dwarf pineapple in a pot with the growing medium. There are various ways to obtain a young plant.^{[1]
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Research source}
- Cut or break off young side shoots or "pups" from an existing plant when they're half the size of the adult.
- Cut a dwarf pineapple fruit, leaving a little bit of the fruit attached to the topknot.
- Divide the "ratoons" (root parts) of mature plants.
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3
Put the plant in an indoor area where it will receive partial to full sunlight.^{[2]
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Research source} Bromeliads in general prosper in the east, south, or west window where they can get 3 to 4 hours of full sun every day. Overall, dwarf pineapples require bright, warm conditions.
4
Water the plant once a week by filling the cup or basin formed by the base of the leaves. There's no need to water the growing medium because overflow from the cup is enough to do the trick.
5
Fertilize every 6-8 weeks with half-strength organic fertilizer during watering.
- Increase fertilizing frequency during the flowering and fruiting months, and be careful not to overwater so as to prevent root rot.
6
Harvest the dwarf pineapples and then replant the top. If you don't harvest the pineapple, it will likely bloom into a flower.
7
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

What do I do if my pineapple turns yellow?

Community Answer

When your pineapple is yellow it's ripe, and that means it's ready to be harvested.
Question

Can they grow in vases?

Community Answer

The roots would probably not have enough room to grow and expand, but it depends on the size of the vase.
Question

Two questions: 1. Even if they are basically ornamental, are they tasty (and safe) to eat, or not? 2. How long does it take to start fruiting, just one season, or more?

Community Answer

For number one, while they are edible, they may be too acidic to be tasty, or too hard at the core, therefore they're best used as decoration. For number two, if you cut the top of the pineapple and plant it, it takes 1-2 years for the propagated plant to start bearing fruit.

Warnings

Do not overwater, and make sure the growing medium remains well-drained.

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Do not subject your dwarf pineapple plant to frosts or freezing weather.

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If you decide to move your plant outside to enjoy the fresh air and warm, sunny weather, allow it to transition in a partially shaded area for a few days before moving it to full sun, or else it will burn.

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