About
A bulbous perennial to about 40cm forming a rosette of upright, strap-shaped, vivid green leave. Produces a dense, upright spike of star-shaped, green or white flowers with brownish-purple centres, topped with a cluster of leafy bracts, on a stout purple or purple-spotted stem in early to mid-autumn.
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, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Sub-tropical, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toE South Africa
Care notes
CultivationPlant 15cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Mulch well over winter in colder areas. See eucomis cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in autumn or spring. Alternatively remove offsets in spring or take leaf cuttings in early to mid-summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free