Did you know you can grow your very own pineapple at home? Very few people do know! But it’s easy and fun to do. And you can grow a pineapple from a pineapple you buy in your grocery store.

Here’s how to grow a pineapple at home:

First You’ll Need:
* The crown (top) of the pineapple
* A 12-inch diameter pot
* Potting soil that drains well

Planting Directions:
Cut the crown from the pineapple just above where the stem comes out of the top of the body
Remove any of the fruity part of the pineapple from the crown
Pull off the outer leaves of the crown, leaving 6 to 8 big leaves near the center
Set this shoot aside for 2-3 days to dry out
Put the shoot in water (about 1/2-inch deep; water shouldn’t touch the leaves)
Place it in a bright spot out of direct sunlight for a few weeks to encourage roots to develop
After you see the roots beginning to grow, transplant the crown to a medium-size pot containing soil that drains well
Place the pot in a bright location and water your plant daily
Once the young plant is established, pour a cupful of well-balanced, diluted, water-soluble liquid fertilizer into the top of the plant once a month.
Your plant should develop a red bud after about 12 months. From this stage, the pineapple fruit will begin to develop and in another 3-6 months, it should be ready to harvest and enjoy.

COLUMBUS "DISCOVERED" PINEAPPLE, TOO. Columbus and his crew were the first Europeans to taste the pineapple in the Caribbean in 1493. The king of Spain liked its taste very much and soon the fruit was spread worldwide.
By the 18th century, pineapple was considered a luxury fruit on the European royal tables. Today, the main areas of pineapple cultivation are Brazil, Hawaii , Mexico, Philippines and Thailand.