News

Experts explain why Joanna Gaines’ pineapple plant will always be a summer must-have

The designer-approved statement is playful and mythical – experts urge you to make the investment

Joanna Gaines houseplant
(Image credit: Courtesy of Magnolia Network)

Magnolia founder Joanna Gaines is synonymous with interior design statements – but this plant will stand as a talking point beyond your four walls too. The Fixer Upper star recently revealed a glimpse into her greenhouse via Instagram, featuring her 3-year-old son Crew. In the footage, Crew tours the greenhouse (filled with vines, bushy greenery, and large potted plants) and wishes them ‘good night.’ 

And while we were taking notes on all of Joanna Gaines’s greenhouse ideas, there was one that stood out as the ultimate statement piece: the young pineapple plant. In the designer’s greenhouse, this exotic piece sits on the window in a terracotta pot on a small tray (as seen below). But this plant has the power to sit as a focal point in a host of different environments. 

The pineapple plant demands attention in the garden, but it’s also one of the top house plants you can buy to bring a hint of escapism into your interiors. And experts agree. Here’s everything you need to know about this Joanna Gaines-approved focal point.

Joanna Gaines-inspired pineapple plant

Joanna Gaines' pineapple plant

(Image credit: GettyImages)

It appears that the pineapple plant has captured the attention of every Gaines generation, but what makes it so appealing? The RHS’s Chief Horticulturist, Guy Barter, pins it down to the plant’s ‘quasi-mythical status’ that dates back to the nineteenth century. 

‘Quite a few home gardeners try to grow a pineapple, and some succeed in producing a fruit which is quite an achievement,’ Guy says. He adds that even if you are not well-equipped with expensive equipment, you can still successfully grow pineapple with ‘skill, enthusiasm and attention to detail.’

Why should you invest?

Joanna Gaines' pineapple plant

(Image credit: GettyImages)

New York-based garden expert Karen Musgrave of Hicks Nurseries suggests it is no surprise that Crew Gaines is an admirer of the pineapple plant. 

‘The pineapple plant is a fun houseplant the entire family can enjoy growing,’ she says. The novelty of this houseplant, therefore, makes it a safe investment for families with children who can explore garden ideas at a young age. 

‘People – and especially children – enjoy the process of watching a tropical plant grow indoors. Over the last two years, people have discovered how fun gardening can be,’ she adds. 

Will you recreate Joanna’s greenhouse this SS/22? 

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.