Scientific Name
Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt.
Common Name(s)
Autumn Pineapple Lily, Autumn Pineapple Flower
Synonym(s)
Eucomis autumnalis subsp. autumnalis, Fritillaria autumnalis, Basilaea undulata, Eucomis regia, Eucomis undulata, Fritillaria longifolia, Ornithogalum undulatum
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Genus: Eucomis
Flower
Color: Yellowish-green
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Description
Eucomis autumnalis is a deciduous summer-growing bulb that produces flowers from mid to late summer. It grows up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall. The bulbs are ovoid, up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, and give rise to a rosette of large, broad, soft-textured, fleshy, wavy-edged, up to 14 inches (35 cm), and up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide leaves. The inflorescence is a dense cylindrical raceme on a stout stalk crowded with starry yellowish-green flowers with a tuft of leaf-like bracts at the tip.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 7a to 11b: from 0 °F (−17.8 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Pineapple Lilies look exotic, but they're actually very easy to grow. Simply plant the bulbs in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Wait until the soil temperature is 65°F (18°C) or warmer, as Eucomis bulbs will not grow in cold soil. It typically takes 3 to 4 weeks for the plant's leaves to emerge from the bulb.
Grow Pineapple Lilies in loose, well-drained soil. Heavy or soggy soil may cause the bulbs to rot. At the start of the growing season, it's best to keep the soil barely moist. Once the plant has several leaves, start watering consistently, keeping the soil relatively moist until after flowering.
In late summer, flower stalks emerge from the center of the plant and will rise to a height of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm). Each flower is a column of florets crowned with a topknot of tiny leaves. The florets open slowly over three weeks or more from the bottom up. After the petals drop, they are replaced by attractive seed capsules.
A dose of liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks will help keep Eucomis plants lush and vigorous. See more at: How to Grow and Care for Pineapple Lilies.
Origin
This species is native to South Africa.
Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Eucomis
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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