Growing Pineapples in Georgia

Container Culture

• Mature pineapple plants can grow to 6 feet tall, with an equal spread, though container grown specimens may be smaller, depending on container size. Georgians who want to grow pineapples should select a 3- to 7-gallon container. A lightweight container is best, since it will have to be moved between indoor and outdoor spaces. Add an inch of drainage material to the bottom and fill 2/3 full with potting mix. Position the young pineapple plant in the center, fill in with soil and water thoroughly. Set in a sunny spot. Water and fertilize regularly.

Temperature

• Pineapples flower and fruit best when temperatures are between 65 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the American Horticultural Society's Plant Heat Zone Map, Georgians can expect between 45 and 150 days per year when temperatures exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on location. If plants are to be moved from an indoor growing space, Georgia gardeners should wait until day and nighttime air temperatures are above 65. In late summer or early fall, bring plants indoors when nighttime temperatures begin dropping below that level.

Fruiting

• Georgia gardeners who grow containerized pineapple plants entirely indoors may not see fruit for several years, unless the plants are cultivated in controlled greenhouse situations. The larger the plant grows before fruiting, the larger the fruit. Encourage optimal plant growth by removing any suckers that sprout along the stem. When fruit forms, the stalk may need to be staked to avoid stalk breakage and loss of fruit. Harvest the pineapple when 1/3 to 2/3 of the shell has gone from green to yellow. They will also ripen at room temperature if they are picked sooner.

Considerations

• In addition to frequent watering and fertilization, pineapple plants thrive in high humidity. In greenhouse environments, this can be adjusted. When plants are in non-greenhouse areas, use humidifiers or set the containers on or near trays of water filled with pebbles. Mist regularly. If grown entirely indoors, the fruit may be less sweet and tasty than that of commercially grown pineapples. For Georgia gardeners, exposing pineapple containerized plants to appropriate outdoor conditions that resemble the plant's native environment may improve fruit quality. Both plants and fruits are decorative even if fruit quality is poor.