About

A giant bulbous perennial with strap-shaped leaves, up to 1m long, and a spire of loosely-packed, greenish-white flowers, topped with a cluster of leafy bracts, that can reach 2m tall in late summer and early 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 moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeBulbs
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Patio and container plants
Native toSouth Africa

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
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in autumn or spring or remove offsets in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free