What you’ll need:

One fresh pineapple with healthy green leaves
A sharp kitchen knife
A clear glass
Two wooden toothpicks
Clean water
A pot with drainage holes
Well-draining potting soil
A spray bottle
Cut off the pineapple crown.

Cut the leafy top from the pineapple, leaving a small amount of fruit attached. Carefully remove all the fruit flesh from the bottom of the crown because leftover flesh can rot.

Remove the lower leaves.

Pull away several rows of leaves from the bottom until you expose a short section of the stem. Small root buds may already be visible underneath.

Let the crown dry.

Place the crown in a dry, shaded place for two or three days. This allows the cut surface to dry and may help reduce the risk of rotting.

Suspend it over water.

Insert two toothpicks through opposite sides of the crown. Rest the toothpicks across the rim of a glass so only the bottom of the stem touches the water. Keep the leaves above the water.

Maintain the water.

Place the glass in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight. Replace the water every few days and rinse the glass if it becomes cloudy. Do not allow the entire crown to sit underwater.

Wait for roots.

After several weeks, small white roots should begin growing from the base. Wait until the roots are several centimeters long and the crown feels firm and healthy.

Prepare the pot.

Choose a pot with drainage holes. Fill it with loose, well-draining soil. A mixture made for houseplants, mixed with perlite or coarse sand, works well.

Plant the crown.

Make a hole in the center of the soil and place the rooted stem inside. Cover only the lower stem and press the soil gently around it. Do not bury the leaves.

Water carefully.

Water around the base until a little water drains from the bottom. Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly before watering again. Constantly wet soil can cause root rot.

Provide proper light.

Keep the plant in a warm place with bright light. A few hours of gentle direct sunlight can help it grow, but protect a newly planted crown from intense heat until it becomes established.

Care for the plant.

Remove damaged leaves and rotate the pot occasionally so the plant grows evenly. Keep it away from frost, cold drafts, and standing water.

Be patient.

The final pineapple shown in the video appears after a long growing period. A home-grown pineapple may take many months or longer to produce fruit, especially when grown indoors.

With the right crown, warmth, light, and careful watering, an ordinary pineapple top can become a beautiful tropical plant.