One of my many hobbies is gardening and growing houseplants. I’ve filled my sewing room and quilting studio with plants as well as the AnswerLine office. We have some really good growing conditions in our office and we have successfully grown a wide variety of plants. We have started seven avocado plants and a sweet potato vine. The avocados (all but one) have gotten too big and spindly for the office. Our sweet potato vine grew and grew until the vine was up in the ceiling tiles. We had to dispose of those plants.
I’m always on the lookout for something new and fun to grow. I was at my local quilt shop a couple of weeks ago and saw this pineapple plant growing. The owners have some seriously 
green thumbs; I’ve never seen a potted pineapple with fruit growing on it. Guess I’ll have to buy a fresh pineapple when I am at the grocery store this weekend.
If you, too, are thinking of starting a pineapple plant, follow these directions from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Hortline.
Cut off the top of the pineapple about 1 inch below the cluster of leaves. Trim away the outer portion of the pineapple top, leaving the tough, stringy core attached to the leaves. Also, remove a few of the lowest leaves. The pineapple top then should be allowed to dry for several days. The drying period allows the moist core tissue to dry and discourages rotting. After drying, insert the pineapple top into perlite, vermiculite or coarse sand up to the base of its leaves. Water the rooting medium. Keep the rooting medium moist, but not wet, during the rooting period. Finally, place the pineapple top in bright, indirect light. Rooting should occur in six to eight weeks.
When the pineapple has developed a good root system, carefully remove it from the rooting medium. Plant the rooted pineapple in a light, well-drained potting mix. Water well. Then place the plant in bright, indirect light for three to four weeks.
After three to four weeks, the plant can be placed in a sunny window. Keep the potting soil moist with regular watering. Using a soluble houseplant fertilizer, fertilize the pineapple once or twice a month in spring and summer. Fertilization usually isn’t necessary in fall and winter. The plant can go outdoors in late May, but must come back indoors before the first fall frost.
I’m looking forward to getting our pineapple plant started.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/yard-and-garden-grow-plants-fruit
Thank you for the information. My husband got a basket of fruit for Father’s Day with a pineapple in it. I have always had a huge garden and orchard caning and freezing everything
in sight. After retiring from teaching, we moved closer to famiky so did smaller versions. I have a patio garden I am experimenting with now. Being a farm girl, thought I would add a pineapple. Not sure I will carry on but will get it started. Very interesting.
We have a pineapple plant that was left by a former employee. I would like to see if I can get it to grow. I know nothing about the plant other than it was another former employee’s start. (He has his own green house.) Ed gave the start to Nick and Nick has been trying to grow a pineapple for a year and a half to 2 years now. Nothing. The leaves grow but no fruit. Nick tried a clear plastic bag around it for a chemical reaction. He has put a banana in the soil and I think an apple. Advice from the internet he said????? The plant sits in indirect sunlight.
Do you think I can get a pineapple to grow? Or is it too late?
Thank you,
Hope
Here is some additional information on growing a pineapple at home. I did see that it usually takes at least 24 months before any sign of fruit growth occurs. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/yard-and-garden-grow-plants-fruit