To grow a pineapple, purchase a whole one at your local grocery. To select a pineapple for growing, pull apart the centre leaves to be sure there is new growth. If small leaves are withered, dry, or missing entirely, choose a different pineapple.

Once you've brought you pineapple home, cut off its crown, making sure your cut contains some of the fruit. Put the top to dry in the sun for a couple of days or the pulpy fruit will rot. When this plug has 'hardened off', plant it fruit side down in a light garden soil or a regular potting soil mixed with some sand and about 1/3 rich organic matter, such as well-rotten manure. Cover the pineapple plug just enough to firmly seat it in your pot. Water your pineapple plant weekly until it is established. Then water only when the sand is dry to your touch.

Never forget that pineapple plants absorb nutrients and moisture through their leaves more than through their roots. When you water a pineapple plant, pour the water into the vase-like centre of the leaves you may mist the leaves with a spray bottle, concentrating the spray near the centre of the plant and continuing until the surrounding sand is damp.