With small - scurf yield no prominent than a lawn tennis ball , the mini ananas plant ( Ananas spp . , USDA zones 10 - 12 ) grows more as an ornamental crotchet rather than a bountiful fruit craw . Although the ornamental fruits are eatable , they ’re of poor character and do not taste as gratifying as a market pineapple . Native to tender regions in tropical America and the Caribbean islands , the pineapple plant falters when temperature drop below 60 arcdegree Fahrenheit . suppurate to about 18 column inch tall and 24 inch wide , originate it in a container to bring it indoors to winter as a house plant .
One way to grow a miniature pineapple is by pressure an standard pineapple plant ( Ananas comosus ) into bloom when the plant is still green . Because of the untried years of the plant , it bring on small , ornamental pineapples . TheUniversity of Florida IFAS Extensionrecommends the red pineapple ( Ananas comosus var . bracteatus ) as a vivacious departure from the standard pineapple . The ornamental fruits on this plant are vivid red .
A mini pineapple plant plant grows good and hit optimum fruiting potential with :
How Do You Take Care of a Dwarf Pineapple?
Full Sun is Best
The dwarf pineapple flora needs as much direct sun as possible , whether develop outdoors or as a theater works . At least six hours of sunlight day by day helps warm up the soil , as well as keep foliage firm and well - form . Too little light induce leggy or tenuous leave of absence , excessively green color , and in all likelihood reduces the chances for output of a flower stubble and subsequent fruit .
Plant on Loose, Well-Draining Soil
While many bromeliads are aerophyte , growing as aery plants that clasp to other plants , the miniature pineapple grows on soil . originate it on well - drain prolific soil that is rich in humus . Sand - based dirt with compost and mulch create good growing conditions if they stay evenly moist during the warmth of the growing time of year . Avoid great clay soils or those that stay soggy after rain or irrigation lacrimation .
Keep Soil Moist
Water the miniature bromeliad freely during the growing season and when the flowering stalk is present . The territory should rest dampish from spring to fall . Pouring the water over the entire works admit H2O to run into leaf gaps and crack and run out away to the grunge below . In wintertime , reduce lachrymation so that the soil remains scantily moist and dries out between watering .
Use Water-Soluble Fertilizer
When the ananas flora is actively grow , apply a complete , pee - soluble fertilizer monthly , fit in to label directions . TheTexas A&M AgriLife Extensionnotes that a ecumenical houseplant fertilizer is suited . If your plant is very youthful , pour or spray the plant food over the leaves so that it can collect in the leaf axil and slowly release nutrient . If your flora is established , hold the fertilizer directly to the grime or potting mixture .
Flowers and Fruit
When the miniature ananas reach maturity , or when it ’s been forced to flower early , the center of the rosette of spiny leaf bring forth a heyday straw . The husk stretch and come up above the foliation to let on a rounded cluster of lilac to red heyday with yellow bracts , resembling a pine strobile . After the flower slice , the ovary well into plump , pulpy masses to create a small pineapple fruit with a large crown of foliation .
The flower stalk may remain fully upright or eventually bends over to tolerate the mature yield to drop to the soil below , where it will take root and become a novel plant . deliberate stake the shuck to keep the plant looking more ornate and keep watering it during this time , so that the flower and fruits do not abort prematurely .
Miniature Ornamental Pineapple Plant Propagation
Once the plant life fruit , it is destine to die . While the top of the belittled fruit grow into a new plant when it pass on the filth , the mother bromeliad also develop small unexampled plants call pups at her base . The female parent plant will slowly reject over one to three months , allowing the pups to increase in size .
Once the mother plant reckon too shattered or dark-brown , rationalize it off with a lopper at its base . Use gloves to protect yourself from the leaf spines . Take concern when cutting so you do no remove or damage the one to three ornamental ananas plant pups emerging from the female parent flora ’s base .
With the mother plant take away , the whelp gain more abstemious , strain and resources from the roots to grow more quickly . Within a year , these pup plants grow to a large size of it , often quick to flower and fruit , and proceed the process if conditions are right .
