The woman who grew a pineapple on her windowsill

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Olwyn Asher started with the discarded crown of a supermarket-bought fruit two years ago.

Mrs Asher, 60, placed the cutting from the top of the pineapple into a dish of water by a window at her home in Harlow, and potted the plant when roots began to sprout.

After outgrowing its pot, the maturing plant was transferred into the Ashers' garden where a sizeable pineapple is now ripening in the early summer sun.

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Sweet success: A fruit grown on the pineapple plant which Olwyn Asher grew at her home in Essex

"I was happy with the bushy plant," Mrs Asher said.

"I didn't even dream it would do anything more than that."

Pineapples were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century from South America.

They were an instant hit with British high society but need warm and humid conditions to thrive, making the plants difficult to cultivate commercially in a British climate.

However, individuals can sometimes grow a pineapple plant from the crown of the fruit.

This can take root when planted in well-drained soil, and develops into a plant with new leaves growing from the centre.

If the grower is lucky, a new fruit then develops on the plant.

Leigh Hunter, a horticultural adviser from the RHA, said: "To get a pineapple top to root is not too difficult and is a common project for schoolchildren.

"But getting the plant to grow on and fruit is quite rare.

"The pineapple is a big fan of tropical conditions. It is the high humidity that a lot of gardeners can't provide in order for the plant to fruit."

Pineapples are mostly grown as ornamental plants in British homes.

Mr Hunter's advice to those who want their plant to bear fruit is leave it on the bathroom windowsill.

He said: "The damp conditions often found in bathrooms should help a pineapple plant thrive. It's best to grow the plant near bright sunlight in warm conditions.

"Keep it moist and make sure it doesn't dry out, and then hope for the best."

Do you have a picture of anything unusual or unexpected you grew at home? If so, please email us at pineapple@dailymail.co.uk