Eucomis autumnalis (Autumn Pineapple lily)
Eucomis autumnalis (Autumn Pineapple lily)
Monthly Theme: Easy – Exotic - Eucomis!
Yes, you can drive to the nearest box store and pick yourself up some petunias, geraniums, marigolds, daylilies, violas or hostas so your yard will look like everyone else’s yard OR you can search out and select less common and more interesting plants to create a unique landscape.
To get you started on this gardening adventure, let me introduce you to Eucomis autumnalis (Pineapple lily). I purchased a couple bulbs in 2009 and they have become a focal point in my garden and a conversation piece with visitors to my home. They have multiplied and I’ve shared with several friends.
They look like a pineapple but looks can be deceiving. It’s commonly called a Pineapple lily, but that doesn’t make it an edible pineapple. Yes, this cool plant does indeed look like a miniature pineapple and how fun is that?!
Eucomis autumnalis, commonly known as the Autumn Pineapple lily, is a bulbous perennial native to southern Africa. From Africa, it traveled to Europe and from Europe, it arrived in the US in the late 1800’s.
Obviously, the common name Pineapple lily came from the fact that the flower does indeed looks like a pineapple. It's an easy to grow summer-flowering bulb, perfect for growing in sunny borders or in pots on the patio.
All the reports say, “Full Sun,” but full disclosure mine are not in full sun (mostly shade) and they are still beautiful. Also, it is suggested they be planted on either South or West facing, sheltered areas. Mine are planted in a West-facing bed and it is a sheltered spot.
Mine are Eucomis autumnalis which are basic green tones, but they come in a variety of colors such as purple, burgundy, white/cream, pink (Rubin cultivar is pinkish), and even spotted. Princess Bride is golden yellow but turn pink as the flower ages. It grows in zones 6-9 and the stalk can reach 18” tall. Typical Vibe has creamy-white florets. Purple Reign offers a vibrant purple color (yes, you guessed the color right!). Bi-Color has purple edges on white flowers. African Night is rosy-purple and can grow to 3’ tall. Vandermerwei Octopus have octopus-like leaves, flowers are burgundy, and they are a dwarf cultivar. That being said, there is a variety available for everyone’s particular taste.
They produce a single flower or spike and the top section is called a tuff. Interestingly, the star-shaped flowers open from the bottom to the top, which forms the tuff at the top. To me, it looks like a tiny hat. The leaves are erect and fleshly.
Eucomis can be grown from seed, but it’s much easier to start with a bulb. If you are a seed person, keep in mind, it will take 3-5 years before they will grow to maturity. The seeds are produced in green pods, which can be saved for planting.
The bulbs (see picture below) do multiple so you can share them with a friend or an enemy that you want to turn into a friend! The new bulb is attached to the original bulb – these are called offsets or pups. It is safe to gently separate the bulbs.
They can even be grown from leaf cuttings (boy, these plants want to survive and thrive!). Cut 3-3.5” sections of leaves and plant the leaf clippings in a mixture of half compost and half pearlite. It will take 6-8 weeks in a cool/shady spot with just a little water for bulbs to begin to form under the leaf cuttings.
Eucomis grow equally well in containers or the ground (mine are in the ground), but do what works best for your gardening space. If you elect to use a pot, select one that is 10-12” in diameter. They can also be grown indoors. You can purchase a quality potting soil or D.I.Y. (recipe below). Before winter, you simply cut back the spent plant and overwinter the pot in a dry and dark place in your basement.
D.I.Y. Potting Soil Recipe
6 Parts Topsoil
2 Parts Compost or Manure (cow/chicken)
2 Parts Peat Moss or Coconut Bark
If you are growing them directly into the ground, plant them relatively deep in well-drained soil. To overwinter, dig them up (gardeners like to refer to this digging as lifting) before the first frost, brush off the dirt, and store them in a dry box.
Depending on the species, this plant can grow 5” - 6’. However, I’ve never seen one that tall in Ohio. Mine grow to approximately 12-15” tall.
Smarty Plants Fun Facts
Plant Hardiness Zones 3-10 - Zones 7-10 as perennials; zones 3-6 overwinter indoors
Soil Types: acidic, clay, heavy, moist, well-drained, light or sandy
Blooms last 6-8 weeks in late summer through fall
Full to partial sun
The More You Grow
Many lilies (Eucomis included) like coffee grounds to encourage growth. Just sprinkle some used coffee grounds around the base of the plant and work into the soil. You can also make a coffee tea with 1-2 tablespoons of coffee grounds to 1 liter of water.
In indigenous medicine, particularly amongst the Xhosa and Zulu peoples, Eucomis is highly prized for its spiritual and physical healing assets. The plant has been used for all kinds of aliments – fevers, backache, urinary issues, flatulence, surgery recovery, and even hangovers. They made enemas out of the bulb. It was used in rituals to protect their children from suffering. In fact, it was so widely used in the indigenous medicine markets that the wild populations dwindling down to almost nothing.
Eucomis have no reported toxic effects. The tubular flowers attract bees and hummingbirds. They are self-pollinators and reproduce even in tough conditions.
In conclusion, if you're looking to add something different to your garden, consider purchasing some Eucomis bulbs. Make your yard bold and different just like you are! If you can’t find them at your local nursery, everything can be found online. Breck’s, Great Garden Plants, and Longfield Gardens sell fresh and healthy bulbs online.
Happy Gardening!
Judith Hilinski