Eucomis pallidiflora (giant pineapple lily) — bulbous perennial

Overview

Eucomis pallidiflora is a bulbous perennial in the genus Eucomis, part of the Q157167 family. Eucomis pallidiflora grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soil soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, containers and rock gardens. It is native to South Africa and Lesotho.

About

Eucomis pallidiflora is a bulbous perennial that produces dramatic summer flower spikes topped by a pineapple-like tuft of leaf‑like bracts. The individual flowers range from white to green and open in July to August. It prefers moist, well‑drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Hardy to H4, it will tolerate most UK winters but can suffer where frosts are severe.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Eucomis pallidiflora

About the genus

Eucomis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, native to southern Africa. Most species of this genus are commonly referred to as pineapple flowers or pineapple lilies. They are bulbous perennials with basal rosettes of leaves and stout stems covered in star-shaped flowers with a tuft of green bracts at the top, superficially resembling a pineapple – hence the common names.

Wikipedia contributors, "Eucomis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Eucomis

In the garden

Eucomis pallidiflora originates from southern Africa (South Africa and Lesotho) and grows from a substantial bulb into a rosette that sends up a tall raceme in mid to late summer; flowering occurs in July to August. The inflorescence carries many small, white to green flowers and is finished off by a dense head of bracts that gives the plant its common name, giant pineapple lily. Plant in a sunny or part‑shaded spot with moist, well‑drained soil; avoid waterlogging around the bulb. The species is rated H4 for UK hardiness (average), so it will survive most winters but is liable to damage during spells of severe frost. In colder or exposed gardens consider planting in containers that can be moved to shelter or provide a protective mulch over winter. Eucomis pallidiflora suits back borders where its vertical spikes can rise above lower perennials, and it also performs well in large containers and rock garden sunny pockets. Leave the seedhead and the characteristic tuft of bracts in place after flowering if you want late‑summer architectural interest, as the coma remains noticeable once the blooms fade.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Eucomis

Sunlight: full sun, partial shade
Soil type: well-drained soil
Soil moisture: moist, well-drained
UK hardiness: H4

Plant details

Eucomis pallidiflora size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: bulbous perennial
Suggested uses: borders, containers, rock gardens
Native to: South Africa, Lesotho

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Eucomis pallidiflora

Cultivation: Plant bulbs in spring after risk of frost; prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade; water moderately during growing season
Pruning: Remove spent flower spikes to encourage tidiness; cut back foliage after it dies down in autumn
Propagation: By seed or bulb offsets

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Eucomis pallidiflora?

Plant bulbs in spring after risk of frost; prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade; water moderately during growing season.

Where is the best place to plant Eucomis pallidiflora?

Eucomis pallidiflora prefers full sun and partial shade.

What soil does Eucomis pallidiflora need?

Eucomis pallidiflora grows best in well-drained soil soil. Aim for soil that stays moist to well-drained.

How do I prune Eucomis pallidiflora?

Remove spent flower spikes to encourage tidiness; cut back foliage after it dies down in autumn.

Is Eucomis pallidiflora hardy in the UK?

Eucomis pallidiflora has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.

How do I propagate Eucomis pallidiflora?

By seed or bulb offsets.

More in the Eucomis genus

Browse all Eucomis →