Pineapples are a delicious tropical fruit that many people enjoy. In recent years, pineapple plants have also become a popular houseplant. Their spiky, colorful foliage adds a touch of the tropics indoors. But an important question arises – can you eat an indoor pineapple plant?
The short answer is sometimes, There are key differences between ornamental pineapple plants meant only for decoration and fruiting varieties that can produce edible pineapples
An Overview of Edible vs Ornamental Pineapple Plants
There are over 100 varieties of pineapple plants They can be divided into two main groups
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Fruiting pineapple varieties – These are grown commercially for their fruits. With proper growing conditions, they can produce full size, edible pineapples indoors. Examples include Smooth Cayenne, Red Spanish, and Golden pineapple.
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Ornamental pineapple varieties – These are strictly houseplants grown for their unique and attractive foliage. They do not yield edible pineapples. At most they may occasionally produce a tiny, inedible fruit. Varieties include Dwarf/Miniature, Variegated, Curly, and Twisted Leaf pineapples.
Caring for Fruiting Pineapples to Produce Edible Fruits
Getting a fruiting pineapple plant to produce tasty, edible fruits indoors requires providing ideal growing conditions:
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Light – Pineapples need very bright light, at least 5-6 hours of direct sun daily. Southern facing windows are best. Supplement with grow lights if needed.
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Warmth – Consistent temperatures between 70-90°F are ideal. Don’t let the plant get below 60°F.
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Soil – Use a well-draining potting mix, not regular garden soil which stays too wet.
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Fertilizer – Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during spring and summer.
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Pollination – Pineapples cannot self-pollinate. The flowers need to be cross-pollinated by hand or insects. No pollination means no fruit.
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Time – After successful pollination, pineapples take around 2 years to fully develop before being ready to harvest.
When given proper sunlight, warmth, soil, and time to grow, a fruiting pineapple can produce sweet, tasty fruits to enjoy fresh.
Are Ornamental Pineapple Fruits Edible?
No, ornamental pineapple varieties are strictly for decoration. Their fruits remain small, hard, and too acidic tasting to eat comfortably. Consuming them provides minimal flavor and may cause intestinal irritation due to high bromelain enzyme levels. Stick to purchasing store-bought pineapples for consumption rather than sampling ornamental houseplant fruits.
Tips for Safely Consuming Homegrown Pineapples
Follow these tips when preparing and eating homegrown pineapples:
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Only harvest fully ripe fruits when the base has turned yellow/orange in color.
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Wash thoroughly before preparing.
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Cut off the leafy crown, prickly skin, and “eyes”. Use a sharp knife.
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Slice off both ends to reveal the inner yellow flesh.
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Cut into rounds or chunks. Core the tough center if desired.
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Enjoy fresh, grilled, or blended into smoothies.
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Refrigerate cut fruits tightly sealed to maximize freshness.
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Avoid any unripe or odd-tasting fruits, as they may contain higher levels of enzymes that aid digestion but can also irritate.
Growing Pineapples for Edible Fruits
With the right variety and care, growing pineapples for fresh, delicious fruits is possible indoors:
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Choose a fruiting variety like Smooth Cayenne suited for large, tasty fruits.
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Site in a very warm (70-90°F) spot with maximum sunlight daily. Supplement with grow lights if needed.
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Use rich, well-draining soil. Fertilize monthly when actively growing.
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Pollinate the flowers by hand to ensure successful fruiting.
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Allow at least 2-3 years from planting until fruits are ready to harvest.
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Harvest pineapples when their base color turns golden yellow.
The Perfect Bedroom Plant
Unlike most plants that release oxygen during the day, the Pineapple Plant purifies the air and releases oxygen at night. This makes it an ideal choice for bedrooms, where it can help create a fresher and more relaxing sleeping environment. Additionally, it removes toxins from the air, enhancing indoor air quality while adding a unique aesthetic appeal.
Ananas comosus ‘Amigo’ with Rosso Pot Small
Add a vibrant and exotic touch to your home or office with the Ananas comosus Amigo Plant, beautifully paired with a Rosso Pot. This striking bromeliad produces a single ornamental pineapple at its center, nestled among gracefully colored foliage. A perfect blend of elegance and tropical charm, it’s sure to be a conversation starter in any space.
How to Grow Pineapple Part 1: Care and Propagation
FAQ
Why are indoor pineapple plants not edible?
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Reddit · r/IndoorGardenhttps://www.reddit.comIs this pineapple edible (if ripe)? : r/IndoorGardenJan 8, 2024
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Bloom & Wildhttps://www.bloomandwild.comHow to Care for an Indoor Pineapple Plant | Bloom & WildThis is known as propagating and is very easy to do. As the mother plant dies down, it is great to focus on the offshoots and let them flourish in new pots. The…
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Reddithttps://www.reddit.comIs this an edible pineapple or just a bromeliad? – RedditApr 11, 2022 — All pineapples come from bromeliads, so yes, it is a bromeliad. This particular variety of bromeliad produces an ornamental pineapple that is techni…
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Patch Plantshttps://www.patchplants.comComplete guide to pineapple plant care | PatchCan I eat the fruit my pineapple plant grows? As spectacular as they look, you wouldn’t want to eat these pineapples, as the fruit can sometimes be toxic and ve…
Can you eat pineapple grown indoors?
Yes, it is surprisingly easy to grow pineapples indoors. It starts with purchasing a fresh pineapple, and planting the green leafy top. Just remove the entire top of leaves with some of the fruit and pot up. When choosing a ripe pineapple it is important to get a tasty, fresh one, worthy of planting.
Can you eat the pineapple from a mini pineapple plant?
Sources say they are edible but much smaller, full of seeds and less juicy than their larger pineapple counterparts (I’ve never tried to eat, but they’re very easy to grow and can handle very full sun and can tolerate being ignored a bit once established). With that being said, eat at your own risk!
Why can’t I eat my pineapple plant?
Can I eat the fruit my pineapple plant grows? As spectacular as they look, you wouldn’t want to eat these pineapples, as the fruit can sometimes be toxic and very sour. Some things are best left to be looked at.
Can you eat pineapple plants?
Yes, many pineapples grown indoors can be eaten, so make sure you’re growing an edible kind if that is your goal. However, there are also ornamental pineapple plants. You might see examples of these in stores or online called pygmy, dwarf, mini, etc. pineapple plants. These are not meant for eating.
Is pineapple edible?
And although it looks good enough to eat, it sadly isn’t edible. Take a look at the pineapple plant guide for everything you need to know to keep your indoor plant happy in its new home!
Are pineapples turning into houseplants?
Well, in case you haven’t heard, pineapples are turning into houseplants. Yep, over the past few years, more and more people have started to grow either edible or ornamental pineapple plants indoors. If this has you intrigued, then read on for all you’ll need to know about pineapple care indoors, as well as how to propagate your pineapple plant.
Can a pineapple plant grow indoors?
Unfortunately, indoor conditions are usually not ideal, so many indoor pineapple plants don’t grow fruit at all. But it could be a good summer project while you have the plant outdoors to soak up lots of light. A pineapple plant that is grown outdoors year-round in a warm climate usually won’t need help.
Can you use store-bought pineapples as a houseplant?
The problem with using store-bought pineapples is that a full-grown plant from these cultivars can grow into very large plants. If you don’t have ample space it might be better to buy a dwarf or mini pineapple cultivar that’s more suited to as an indoor houseplant.
Can you eat a mini pineapple?
Crowned with the cutest mini pineapple, this plant can add tropical flair to any space. And don’t let its size on arrival fool you, the pineapple plant can grow up to 90cm in size. We think it’ll make the perfect centrepiece for a kitchen, dining room or lounge. And although it looks good enough to eat, it sadly isn’t edible.