Pineapple Lily

An exotic South African bulb with dense spikes of star-shaped flowers topped by a rosette of leaves, resembling a pineapple. Pineapple lily is surprisingly hardy in well-drained soil with a thick winter mulch, and makes a striking container plant. The unusual flower spikes last for weeks and are excellent conversation starters in the garden.

Eucomis grows readily from fresh seed sown in spring in pots of moist, well-drained seed compost. Surface sow and cover lightly with vermiculite. Maintain temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for germination, which typically occurs within three to six weeks. Grow seedlings on in individual pots, feeding regularly with dilute liquid fertilizer. Plants from seed typically reach flowering size in three to four years. Bulb offsets can be separated from mature plants in spring for faster propagation.

The Season Plate

Your Pineapple Lily Year

Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1

Sow Pineapple Lily Apr – May, pick Jul – Sep. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.

Sowing window

Apr – May

re-timed to your frost dates

Plant out

after Apr 2

once frost risk has passed

First picking

around Jul 14

≈ 90 days from sowing · 1-3 flower per plant

Composed for —ColdTemperateMildWarmUse my locationUsed once to set your season · only the zone is kept

Week-by-week Pineapple Lily reminders watering, feeding and pruning, timed to your dates

In the app

Frost alerts for your garden a warning before a cold night costs you the crop

In the app

Succession sowing dates so the picking never gaps mid-season

In the app

Prefer email? Get monthly reminders in the Almanac

Keep my dates — free for 7 daysWe nudge you as each window opens · cancel anytime

Plant eucomis bulbs in spring after the last frost, setting them four to six inches deep with the neck of the bulb just below the soil surface, spacing them ten to twelve inches apart. Choose a warm, sunny location with rich, well-drained soil. In zones 6 and 7, plant in a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall and apply a thick winter mulch of six inches of straw or leaves to protect the bulbs from freezing.

Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Feed every two weeks with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer from the time the flower spike begins to emerge until the flowers fade. The exotic pineapple-like flower spikes are long lasting in the garden, remaining attractive for six to eight weeks.

In zones below 6, grow eucomis in large containers that can be brought indoors before frost. Use a rich, loam-based potting mix with added perlite for drainage. Container-grown plants need more frequent watering and feeding during active growth. Reduce watering as foliage yellows in autumn and store dry containers in a frost-free garage or basement over winter.

Eucomis creates stunning tropical-looking displays alongside cannas, dahlias, agapanthus, and ornamental grasses. The architectural flower spikes provide excellent textural contrast with billowy perennials. Plant in containers grouped with other South African bulbs like nerines and gladiolus for a cohesive summer display. The purple-leaved varieties pair dramatically with silver-foliaged plants like artemisia and dusty miller.

The Society Table

Dahlia belongs beside it.

Old growers' knowledge, checked against Pineapple Lily's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.

Grows well in the company of · 3

DahliaGladiolusAgapanthus

Keep apart · 0

no recorded foes

Plant Pineapple Lily with good neighboursThe planner flags conflicts before they're in the ground

Eucomis thrives in rich, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Amend the planting area with generous compost and ensure drainage is excellent to prevent bulb rot. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer at planting time and supplement with fortnightly liquid feeds of high-potassium fertilizer during the growing season. In containers, use a rich potting mix with added perlite and feed weekly during active growth.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Cut eucomis flower spikes for arrangements when the star-shaped florets along the lower half of the spike have opened. The unusual pineapple-like form with its leafy topknot makes a dramatic conversation piece in large arrangements. Cut stems last up to two weeks in a vase with regular water changes. Note that the flowers have a somewhat musky scent that some people find unpleasant indoors, so place vases in well-ventilated areas.

Storage & Preservation

In cold climates, lift eucomis bulbs after frost blackens the foliage. Cut stems to two inches, shake off excess soil, and cure in a warm, dry location for a week. Store bulbs in dry peat moss or vermiculite at 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Check monthly for signs of rot or excessive drying. Container-grown bulbs can simply be stored in their dry pots in a frost-free location. Replant in spring after the last frost date.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

The most frequent issue in cold climates is losing bulbs to winter cold and wet. Apply deep mulch and ensure excellent drainage for in-ground plantings, or grow in containers that can be overwintered indoors. Overwatering during cool weather is a common cause of bulb rot. Flower spikes may lean if the plant does not receive enough sunlight. The musky flower scent attracts flies, which while natural pollinators, may be considered a nuisance.

Growing Tips

1. Plant Eucomis bulbs with the nose of the bulb approximately 15 cm below the soil surface — deeper planting provides better frost protection in borderline-hardy areas and anchors the heavy flower spikes more securely against wind.
2. Choose a planting site that receives full sun for at least six hours per day. Eucomis tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates, but too much shade results in floppy foliage and weak flower spikes that fail to stand upright.
3. Excellent drainage is non-negotiable for Eucomis — the bulbs will rot in waterlogged soil during their winter dormancy. Amend heavy clay soils generously with coarse grit, perlite, or sharp sand before planting to create the free-draining conditions these South African natives demand.
4. When growing Eucomis in containers, use pots at least 25 cm in diameter and ensure multiple drainage holes. A single bulb per 25 cm pot or three bulbs per 35-40 cm pot creates a lush, full display with room for bulbs to multiply over several seasons.
5. Water actively growing plants deeply once or twice per week during the summer growing season, allowing the top few centimetres of soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering is more dangerous than slight underwatering — Eucomis is adapted to summer-rainfall regions with periodic dry spells.
6. Feed with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer (such as tomato feed) every two weeks from the emergence of the flower spike until flowering finishes. This encourages strong flower development and helps the bulb build up reserves for the following year.
7. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally — resist the temptation to cut it off prematurely. The leaves continue photosynthesising and channelling energy back into the bulb for four to eight weeks after the flowers fade, which directly affects next year's performance.
8. In regions colder than USDA zone 8, lift bulbs after the first autumn frost blackens the foliage. Allow them to dry in a shaded, ventilated spot for a week, then store in barely damp vermiculite or peat at 7-10°C until spring replanting.
9. Propagate Eucomis by separating offset bulblets during the dormant season — detach them from the mother bulb with a clean, sharp knife and plant separately. Most offsets reach flowering size within one to two growing seasons.
10. Eucomis is remarkably pest-free in most gardens, but watch for mealybugs sheltering between the leaf bases and aphids clustering on developing flower buds. A strong jet of water or an application of insecticidal soap will control these occasional visitors without harming beneficial insects.