About
A strong, bulbous perennial to 1.5m tall, with erect, strap-shaped light green leaves to 30cm long, with crinkled margins, and bearing racemes 40-80cm long of starry, greenish-white flowers in late summer.
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 moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitTufted, Clump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Native toSouth Africa, Lesotho
Care notes
CultivationPlant bulb deeply, at least 15cm deep, to support the very tall stem, in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Mulch well in colder areas. Tall flower spikes may need staking. See eucomis cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in autumn or spring or remove offsets in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free