Pink Pineapple Plant for Sale: A Guide to Growing This Unique Houseplant

The pink pineapple plant is an exciting novelty houseplant rapidly gaining popularity among indoor gardeners. Also known as the miniature pineapple, ornamental pineapple or ‘Mini Me’ this compact plant produces adorable mini pineapples that look just like their full-sized counterparts. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about buying and growing pink pineapple plants at home.

Overview of the Pink Pineapple Plant

The pink pineapple plant, scientifically known as Ananas comosus ‘Variegata’, is a dwarf cultivar of the common pineapple fruit. Through selective breeding, these plants stay under 12 inches tall but still bear 2-3 inch golden miniature pineapples. The leaves emerge a vivid pinkish-red but fade to an attractive grayish-blue-green as they mature.

While native to tropical regions, pink pineapple plants adapt remarkably well as compact container plants indoors. Given adequate bright light and average room humidity, they thrive year-round in homes and apartments. Their mini pineapples take 1-2 years to form, but the payoff is well worth the wait. The petite fruits have that signature tropical pineapple scent and flavor, just on a smaller scale.

Growing Conditions for Pink Pineapples

Though small in size pink pineapple plants still have specific growing needs for optimal health and fruit production

• Light: Bright, indirect light is essential for these tropical plants. Place in a south or west facing window where they’ll get as much sun as possible.

• Temperature: Average room temperatures between 65-80°F are ideal. Avoid drafty areas.

• Water: Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Allow the soil to dry out moderately between waterings.

• Humidity: Pink pineapples prefer 40-50% humidity. Use a pebble tray or mist leaves frequently to boost moisture.

• Soil: Use a commercial fast-draining potting mix amended with extra perlite or orchid bark to enhance drainage.

• Fertilizer: Feed monthly during the active growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.

With proper care, your pink pineapple will stay lush and beautiful as you patiently await the ultimate reward of homegrown mini pineapples!

Where to Buy Pink Pineapple Plants

Since they are still quite rare, pink pineapple plants can be a challenge to find. Check with specialty online plant stores or local garden centers focused on unique indoor plants. Here are some top retailers currently offering these special plants for sale:

• Etsy – Many Etsy plant shops sell hard-to-find pink pineapple plants. Focus on sellers with excellent reviews and policies.

• Orange Lake Nursery – Offers 2″ potted pink pineapple plants for $9.99 plus affordable shipping. Plants ship with heat packs when needed.

• Just Fruits and Exotics – Sells 3″ potted variegated pink pineapple plants for $34.95 with free shipping. Plants are hardened off for easy home transition.

• Logee’s Greenhouses – Features 3.5′′ pink variegated pineapples for $27.95. Free shipping on orders over $100. Grown in their Connecticut greenhouses.

• Gabriella Plants – Carries 4″ pink pineapple starters for $15.99 each. Orders over $75 ship free. Grown in Florida.

Shop early each season for the healthiest plants and best availability. Stock is extremely limited for these in-demand beauties.

Growing and Caring for Pink Pineapples

Bringing your new pink pineapple plant to its full potential is easy with attentive care:

• Plant in a 6-8 inch container with drainage holes, using a fast-draining potting mix.

• Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Avoid overwatering which leads to rot.

• Situate in a bright, sunny south or west facing window for at least 4 hours of direct sun daily.

• Wipe leaves periodically with a soft damp cloth to remove dust and boost humidity.

• Turn the plant regularly so all sides get equal sun exposure for even growth.

• Remove dried lower leaves for a tidy, attractive appearance. Avoid cutting into the main stem.

• Feed every 4 weeks during spring through fall with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 or fish emulsion.

• In winter, allow the plant to dry out more between waterings to trigger flowering and fruiting.

The keys to a healthy pink pineapple are proper watering, fertilizing, and as much sunlight as possible. Follow these tips and you’ll have a gorgeous trouble-free plant.

Maximizing Fruit Production

Pink pineapple plants can take over a year to flower and fruit. Here are some tricks to encourage your plant to produce pineapples:

• Choose a plant that’s at least 1 year old – younger ones aren’t mature enough to fruit yet.

• Give the plant as much direct sunlight as possible. At least 6 hours daily is best for fruiting.

• Allow the soil to dry out further between waterings to simulate drought conditions. This stimulates blooms.

• When the plant flowers, increase humidity by misting leaves daily or using a pebble tray.

• Apply a bloom-boosting fertilizer like tomato food every 2 weeks once flowers appear.

• Remove the original pup at the base so the plant focuses energy on fruit rather than new pups.

• Gently twist off pineapples when the base color changes from green to golden yellow. Enjoy!

Troubleshooting Common Pink Pineapple Problems

While generally robust, pink pineapple plants can develop issues. Watch for these problems and how to fix them:

• Yellow leaves – Usually caused by overwatering. Allow soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings.

• Tip dieback – Results from insufficient humidity or uneven watering. Mist leaves and keep soil moisture consistent.

• Failure to fruit – Insufficient sunlight is the main cause. Move to the brightest location possible.

• Falling over – Indicates too little light or water. Stake the plant and improve light and irrigation.

• Rot – Excess moisture and poor drainage causes stem and root rot. Repot in fresh mix and reduce watering frequency.

When given the proper care and conditions, the pink pineapple is sure to impress indoor gardeners with its colorful foliage and irresistible mini tropical fruits. Though they take patience, these petite pineapples are well worth the wait!

In Summary

The pink pineapple is an exciting new entry into the world of novelty houseplants. These compact, easy-care plants produce perfect mini versions of pineapples one to two years after planting. They need bright light, average temperatures and humidity, fast-draining soil, and proper watering and fertilizing to thrive indoors. Though still hard to find, more retailers now carry these hard-to-find beauties. Give a pink pineapple plant plenty of love and attention, and it will reward you with the ultimate taste of homemade pineapple.

No, it is not legal to grow the pink pineapple variety known as Pinkglow® outside of authorized locations. Fresh Del Monte owns the trademark and agricultural license for this specific pink pineapple, meaning they are the only ones legally permitted to cultivate and sell it.