About
A bulbous perennial to 30cm, producing a rosette of dark green, lance-shaped leaves, heavily mottled and flushed with dark purple. In late summer to early autumn, dark red, upright stems carry dense spires of dark red flowers, topped with a cluster of dark green and purple, leaf-like bracts.
About the genus
Eucomis are bulbous perennials forming a large basal rosette of strap-shaped leaves, with an erect stem bearing a dense raceme of star-shaped flowers, topped by a crown of leafy bracts, opening in late summer and early autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming, Tufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationPlant 15cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Mulch well in colder areas. See eucomis cultivation
PruningNo pruning required. Remove flower spikes once the display is over and allow foliage to die down naturally
PropagationPropagate by removing offsets in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free