Bulbs
Crowning Glory ™ ' Purple Reign ' . photograph by : Proven Winners
Pineapple lily ( Eucomis ) is neither a true lily nor connect to the tropic yield , yet it ’s easy to see how it earned its uncouth name . Boasting eye - catching flower that resemble miniature pineapples , this South African aboriginal is often used to bring tropical flair to garden bed and container . In midsummer , it sends up tall spires of tiny star - shape flush crown by spiky tufts of pineapple - like bract . In plus to its striking bloom , pineapple lily also has attractive arching foliage , making it a showstopper even when not in bloom of youth .
Despite their alien appearance , pineapple plant lilies are improbably well-heeled to mature and some are wintertime unfearing to zone 6 . In colder climates , you’re able to enjoy them as annuals or stack away the bulbs indoors during the winter month for replant the following give .
On this page : Basics|Growing Tips|Care and Maintenance|Pictures|Frequently Asked question
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Eucomisspp . and hybrids
Common names:
Pineapple lily , pineapple flower , king ’s flower
Zones:
7 - 10 , with some stout to zone 6
Exposure:
Full sun to partial shade
Bloom time:
Mid to recent summertime , with the blooms survive for 6 to 8 weeks
Height/spread:
1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide , bet on the variety
Flowers:
May be purple , pinkish , yellow , or white , with some varieties having bicolored blooms . The star - shaped floret open from the bottom of the bloom capitulum up over a period of several weeks .
Foliage:
Broad , strappy leaves with crinkled edges form an attractive funnel - shaped rosette . color range from deep commons to shades of purplish and burgundy .
Uses:
Mixed borders , alone or as a thriller in container planting , tropical - themed gardens , rock music gardens , orcut prime garden .
Special attributes:
HOW TO PLANT PINEAPPLE LILY
Pineapple lily bulbs . exposure by : Sarycheva Olesia / Shutterstock
When to plant:
In spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed to at least 65 degrees F. you’re able to also constitute the bulbs in pots indoors about a month before it ’s warm enough to move them out of doors in recent spring .
Where to plant:
For optimal flowering , plant in a spot that receives full sunlight ( at last 6 hours daily ) . In southern garden , where the sun is more intense , a spot that receives some afternoon shade can help prevent scorching of the leave .
Soil requirements:
The idealistic stain for pineapple lilies is rich , porous and drain well , yet still retains enough wet for the plant ’s ancestor . If your soil is enceinte or compacted , better it with compost or other organic matter to avail meliorate drainage .
Planting in the garden:
you’re able to purchase eucomis plants as inactive electric-light bulb or as pot nursery starts in the spring . However , the latter are often easier to retrieve and will give you a head start on planting .
If growing from bulbs , plant the bulbs rootle side down in a hole 6 inches cryptical , spacing them 10 to 12 inches apart . Cover with grime and water lightly , keeping the grease evenly moist until the bulbs sprout .
If grow from glasshouse starts , dig a maw about double as wide-cut and the same profundity as the root egg and mix in any amendment , as needed . Place the industrial plant in the fix so the crown is point with the surrounding soil and then backfill . Tamp down the soil softly to off air pockets , and water thoroughly .
Growing in containers:
In climates where pineapple lily are not winter brave , the easiest way to raise them is in a container you may move into a protected locating during the winter month . If grow from medulla oblongata , establish them to a deepness of 3 to 4 column inch in a well - enfeeble soilless potting mixture . Generally , three bulb will nicely fill out a 12 - in - diam container . Make certain the pot you choose has lot of drain holes in the bottom to preclude soggy filth .
Propagation:
By seed or by removing bulb offsets from established industrial plant in the spring . ( * See note below on propagating patented plant . Check your plant tag end for ® or ™ symbols next to the plant name . )
PINEAPPLE LILY CARE
Watering:
In leaping and summer , when flora are actively growing , water to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged , providing about an in of water per week . Container - grown plants may postulate more frequent lachrymation . In drop , after plants have finished blooming , water more sparingly . Pineapple lilies need juiceless condition when they are inactive to prevent rot and uphold bulb wellness .
Fertilizing:
To keep your pineapple lily lush and blooming vigorously , feed them with a balanced , water - soluble fertilizer in the spring as soon as you see new growth emerge , and then reapply monthly until the growing season ends in other evenfall . Withhold fecundate during the wintertime months .
Pruning:
: ananas lily call for no pruning , other than to remove utter or damage foliage . After bloom has finished for the season , pull up stakes the foliage entire and let it die back naturally . The leaves will continue to gather muscularity from the sun to be stored in the bulb for next year ’s flowers . you may remove the teetotal foliation once it turns yellow and wilts to the background in the fall .
Pests and problems:
Pineapple lily is not susceptible to serious cuss or disease problem , but see out forsnails and type slug , particularly on crank young foliage .
PINEAPPLE LILY VARIETIES
exposure by : Proven Winners
crown Glory ™ ' Purple Reign'—Buy now from Proven WinnersEucomishybrid
Zones:6 - 9Height and spread:18 to 20 column inch magniloquent , 24 column inch wide
Features erect pink - regal flower ear heighten by deep burgundy foliage that retains its dark color well into summer . Although this eucomis is slow to emerge in the saltation , once it blooms in late summertime , the flowers will last for week .
Crowning Glory ™ ' Princess Bride'—Buy now from Proven WinnersEucomishybrid
Sends up legion shuck of dazzling citron yellow flowers that turn a soft pink and xanthous as they mature . The long , arc foliage also shifts colouration , set off off burgundy when it first emerge and then wrench a deep green in summer . Makes a nice specimen plant life as well as a gaudy thriller in container compounding .
' African Night’Eucomis’African Night '
Zones:6 - 9Height and spread:24 to 36 inch tall , 36 to 48 inches wide
This striking Ananas comosus lily is identify for its deep plum tree , nearly black foliage , which step by step lightens to olive putting green as the season progresses . In late summer , rosy pink flower spikes emerge on dark burgundy shank , top out off by matching burgundy bracts .
' Safari Adventure’Eucomis’Safari Adventure '
Similar to ' African Night ' , but with bicolor flowers that start off a creamy snowy and transition to a rich flushed purpleness as they maturate . The thick olive green foliage is accented by hint of burgundy .
picture by : John R. Martin / Shutterstock
' Sparkling Burgundy’Eucomis comosa’Sparkling Burgundy '
Zones:7 - 9Height and spread:1 to 2 pes tall and wide-eyed
bring forth impenetrable spikes of purple - tinged flowers borne on compact purple stems . The long shoulder strap - like leaves are equally striking , part out reddish - purple in spring and turning late green as summertime arrives . After the flowers bloom , they are replaced by pretty burgundy - colored pod that lead the time of year of interest .
telecasting by Walters Gardens / Proven Winners .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do you do with pineapple lily after flowering?
It ’s all right to leave the spent flowers in piazza , unless you get hold them unattractive . The blossoms are replaced by shining seed capsules that add together ornamental involvement to the garden while allow a intellectual nourishment reference for birds .
Are pineapple lilies hardy?
MostEucomisare hardy to zone 7 and perhaps lower if you insure your industrial plant with a thick layer of mulch in the winter to assist isolate them from uttermost cold . Container - acquire plants should be moved to a protected locating or indoors , ideally to a spot where temperatures last out cool but do n’t drop below 40 degree F.
Do pineapple lilies come back every year?
Pineapple lily areperennials , meaning they will bloom twelvemonth after year when grown in favorable experimental condition . In clime where they are n’t winter hardy , you could produce them as annuals or preserve the bulbs for replanting the following give by delve them up in the gloam and storing them indoors in a cool , dry place . ( Learn more about theafter - forethought and digging up of bulb . )
Do pineapple lilies like sun or shade?
Pineapple lily raise well in full Dominicus or partial shade , but they may raise few heyday if raise in a shady placement . If your pineapple plant lilies are n’t bloom , it could be due to insufficient sunshine .
Are pineapple lily flowers fragrant?
Some specie of pineapple lily emit a distinct odour that is sometimes likened to the feel of boiled Solanum tuberosum , a strategy the industrial plant uses to attract pollinators – particularly flies . Fortunately , not all ananas lilies reek the same . The perfume of many cultivar is less pronounced , making them utterly suitable for utilisation as weakened flowers .
- REGARDING extension : When it comes to propagating patent plants , there are strict rules in space disallow replica or propagation of these plants in any direction . This intend you ca n’t reproduce them ( even for use in your own garden ) , sell them , or lend them into the country without permit . The law does not make exceptions for what some might consider minor infraction . Any unauthorized use of patent flora is believe an infraction .
