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Eucomis

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
YOO-com-iss
Description

The pineapple lilies are tropical perennial bulbs in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) native to South Africa. This genus contains 13 accepted species. The genus name comes from a Greek word, Eukomos, which means 'Beautifully haired'.  The common name comes from the blooms, which resemble a pineapple when in bloom. 

Pineapple lilies will grow in full sun or partial shade, however, a full-sun location will provide the best blooms and foliage. Depending on the species, they will grow 10-30 inches in height and will spread slowly by bulb offsets. Plant the bulbs in spring in well-drained fertile soil 3-6 inches deep and 5-10 inches apart, mulch and keep moist but not wet during the growing season. They may survive Zone 7 winters if properly protected.  Plant deeply and/or cover with a thick layer of mulch.  When grown in cooler zones where protection is not possible, they will need to be brought inside for the winter months and replanted in the spring.  

Flowers of these plants are showy and appear in summer to fall. They vary in color and appear on a dense cylindrical spike that is topped with green bracks giving it that pineapple look. The rosette of large leaves are also attractive and some cultivars have purple leaves. The odd fragrance of the flowers has been described as boiled potatoes. One study shows that the plant is pollinated by small mammals while others claim it is flies and wasps. 

Use these plants as a focal point, in contains or borders for a tropical look. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems but watch or slugs, snails and aphids.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Freckles'
    Rose red flowers
  • 'Oakhurst'
    Dark leaved
  • 'Sparking Burgundy'
    Greenish bracts with burgundy
  • var. comosa
    Sweet scent
  • var. striata
    Greenish-yellow flowers
'Freckles', 'Oakhurst', 'Sparking Burgundy', var. comosa, var. striata
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#summer flowers#tropical feel#landscape plant sleuths course#container#folcal
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Freckles'
    Rose red flowers
  • 'Oakhurst'
    Dark leaved
  • 'Sparking Burgundy'
    Greenish bracts with burgundy
  • var. comosa
    Sweet scent
  • var. striata
    Greenish-yellow flowers
'Freckles', 'Oakhurst', 'Sparking Burgundy', var. comosa, var. striata
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#summer flowers#tropical feel#landscape plant sleuths course#container#folcal
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eucomis
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    S. Africa
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract various pollinators to its rich nectar
    Bulb Storage:
    Cool dry area
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The greenish-white, pink or purple flowers are star-shaped and grow in a dense cylindrical raceme and bloom from bottom to top of the spike. The spike is topped with green bracts. They will bloom for 6-8 weeks in late summer to fall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The long, strappy, wavy-edged green leaves are up to 6 inches long and form a basal rosette.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Flecked with contrasting colors. Green and purple-spotted.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators