Pineapple Lily Flower

Botanical Name: Eucomis comosa

Showy flower heads topped with tufts of green bracts make Pineapple Lily a favorite of Southern gardeners. But did you know that you can grow this dazzling beauty indoors? Pineapple lilies grow wonderfully in containers.

 

Several varieties are available with white, pink or red flowers. Bright-pink 'Aloha' is one of my favorites, and 'Sparkling Burgundy' is a popular cultivar with burgundy-tinged foliage.

Give Eucomis comosa plenty of light. Some full sun is needed to make this tropical beauty bloom. And when it does -- several flower stems will send up spikes of star-shaped blossoms in summer.

This South African native makes an ideal potted plant for the sunroom or any room that gets full sunlight. Turn the pot each week to give each side light exposure.

Repot in spring only when necessary. This flowering plant blooms best when pot-bound. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.

Overwinter E. comosa in a sunny window. Cut back on watering, but don't allow the soil to dry out completely. Stop fertilizing after flowering is over. In early spring, resume normal care.

If you've never grown pineapple lilies, give them a try. Growing these tender perennials in containers is easy and you'll enjoy their gorgeous flowers year after year.

Pineapple Lily Care Tips

Origin: South Africa

Height: 2 ft (60 cm)

Light: Bright light with some full sun

Water: Water generously throughout the growing season, keeping the soil evenly moist. Water sparingly after flowering is finished. Yellow leaves are a sign of overwatering.

Humidity: Average room humidity

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F/16-24°C. If you scoot your container to the patio or porch for the summer, don't worry -- it can take the heat. But bring it back indoors when the temperature drops...these tender perennials will not tolerate temps below 50°F/10°C.

Soil: Good-quality potting mix

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a high-phosphorus liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Divide plants in spring every 4 years or when needed.