Eucomis which roughly translates as "beautifully headed" obviously refers to the
interesting flower heads, with their tuft of bracts sprouting from the crown. The resemblance of
the flower head to miniature pineapples is quite apparent, giving these plants their common name,
Pineapple Lily.
These unusual and attractive plants belong to a group of deciduous, tender, and perennial bulbs
from South Africa. They can be grown outdoors in the warmer zones where temperatures stay above
10º F., but should be lifted from the garden and keep indoors over winter, in the colder climates.
Long lasting flowers bloom in late summer, on multiple stalks 12-15 inches above the spreading
rosette of bold foliage. The ends of these stalks are densely covered with hundreds of tiny
star-shaped flowers with maroon edged tepals. Flowers are crowned by a tuft of green bracts making
them look like the fruit of a pineapple, thus their common name.
The flowers last for several weeks and attract bees. They are excellent as cut flowers with a
long vase-life. The bulbs produce basal rosettes of strap-like, arching leaves, much like a Crinum.
Depending on the species, sometimes their one foot long, 3-4 inch wide, light green leaves have
wavy edges.
They are charming when grown in containers or large tubs, which are also easy to move indoors over
the winter months. Bulbs can also be used as specimen plants or planted in garden beds and woodland
gardens, but must be lifted over winter in colder zones. Choose a sunny location that receives some
light shade during the heat of the day.
They can be grown outdoors year-round in regions where temperatures do not fall below 10º F.
Otherwise, they may be grown in containers or lifted from the ground and over-wintered indoors.
Be sure to let the bulbs dry before storing them.
Some good companion plants for Eucomis include:
Coreopsis, Hemerocallis, Kniphofia, Leucanthemum (Shasta daisies), Peonies, Rudbeckia, Salvia,
Sedum, Verbascum, Buddleia, Hibiscus syriacus, Acer palmatum, and Lagerstroemia.
Cultivars:
E. bicolor - has pale green, purple-edged flowers and wavy-edged leaves.
E. bicolor 'Alba'
E. comosus
E. autumnalis - has wavy-edged leaves and green flowers.
E. autumnalis 'Stricta'
E. punctata (Wine Eucomis) is the prettiest species of this group
E. pole-evansii
