Cultivating a pineapple as a houseplant on the windowsill doesn't have to remain a pipe dream. Small varieties with enchanting leaf decorations are a hit for limited living spaces. Our guide shows how the care goes as desired.
How to care for a pineapple houseplant?
The pineapple houseplant prefers a sunny location, temperatures between 25-30 degrees Celsius, regular watering, high humidity and fertilizer every 14 days. Small varieties such as Pineapple Champaca, Ananas bracteatus and Ananas comosus 'Variegatus' are particularly suitable as houseplants.
This is how an ornamental pineapple becomes an eye-catcher
The many requests from hobby gardeners for pineapple plants for indoor cultivation were met by resourceful breeders with beautiful ornamental pineapples. The small varieties Ananas Champaca, Ananas bracteatus and Ananas comosus 'Variegatus' impress with colorful leaf decorations and fit harmoniously into living spaces. The distinctive plants can be purchased in well-stocked specialist shops and online shops. This is how you care for the exotic plants for magnificent growth:
- the ideal location is sunny with shade in the blazing midday sun
- the temperatures are constantly between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius
- Water ornamental pineapple regularly, allowing the substrate to dry in the meantime
- fertilize every 14 days from March/April to August/September with a liquid preparation (€8.00 on Amazon)
The tropical houseplant only develops its unique beauty when it is surrounded by high humidity. A daily shower from the spray bottle with lime-free water rounds off the care program.
Overwintering pineapple properly as a houseplant
The ornamental pineapple does not fall into a wintery calm in the traditional sense. Due to the limited lighting conditions, temperatures can fluctuate around 20 degrees Celsius. Humidity of at least 60 percent is essential. Therefore, continue to spray the pineapple regularly as a houseplant. Only water when the substrate has dried. The plant does not receive fertilizer during wintering.
Uncomplicated propagation by Kindel
Like its larger relative, a pineapple as a houseplant only flowers and bears fruit once. Before the mother plant dies, it produces offspring independently in the form of side shoots. These grow clearly visible at the base and have all the properties of a self-sufficient pineapple plant. This is how propagation works:
- Cut off pieces with a length of 10-15 centimeters
- plant in peat sand or potting soil in a 10-centimeter pot
- Put a transparent plastic bag over it and let it root in a warm, partially shaded place
After 8 to 10 weeks, the young plant develops a new root system. The hood can now be removed to transplant the plant and care for it like an adult specimen.
Tips & Tricks
If you don't want to miss out on the enjoyment of having a pineapple as a houseplant, you can grow a baby pineapple (Ananas nanus). With a height of 35 centimeters, the variety fits into any living room. The cute fruits are suitable for consumption.
