How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Pineapple Lilies

Pineapple lilies are bulbous perennials that really stand out from other flowers. They have gorgeous green to white bracts that stand on tall racemes. As their common name suggests, these lilies actually look like cartoonish pineapples. These stunning flowers bloom in the summer and keep their pineapple-like blooms for at least 2 months. The flowers will bring a touch of the tropics to your garden. 

Plant them along with other tropical-looking flowers or as standalone showpieces. Some species can grow to around 3 feet tall. Because of their height and unique shape, they’ll capture a lot of attention. 

Let’s dive into how to plant, grow, and care for these attractive tropical bulbs. They are easy to grow and maintain, making them perfect beginner flowers. 

What Is It?

Pineapple lilies have no relation to pineapples or lilies. Contrary to their name, they’re actually members of the Asparagaceae Family of plants. These include asparagus, lily-of-the-valley, and snake plant. 

These flowers are members of the Eucomis genus, which gets its name from the word ‘Eukomos’ which means “beautifully haired” in Greek. There are around 13 species in the genus, each with unique sizes and colors. 

These plants look amazing as garden centerpieces or along borders. You’ll usually get your first blooms in summer, which can last into fall. They look gorgeous surrounded by green ground cover and other tropical-looking plants. 

Characteristics

Pineapple lilies grow from bulbs that shoot out tall racemes in their centers. The flowers are incredibly beautiful. They can be a variety of colors, including white, green, pink, purple, or cream colored. 

As they mature, they send up tall stalks known as racemes. These flower clusters support several flower clusters that grow on uniform stalks. At the top of the racemes are bracts that resemble the top leaves of a pineapple. Some species give off a fragrance similar to cooked potatoes. 

The leaves are long and form a rosette around a central stem. Most cultivars have green to dark green leaves, while some produce beautiful purple leaves. 

Some species are miniature and barely reach 8 inches in height. Others can grow to 3 feet. You can plant several species in your flower garden for a multitextured appearance. The tallest varieties look amazing in the center of a cut garden while miniature varieties make fantastic borders. 

Native Area

Eucomis plants are native to sub-tropical South Africa. Many species grow wild throughout southern Africa. They grow in low-lying regions and grasslands. 

These species thrive as perennials in warm climates between zones 7 to 10. They can handle some winter cold but prefer warm temperatures year-round. 

These plants grow best in somewhat rocky areas with a wide range of soil types. Because of this, they’ll thrive in many areas of the US. 

Planting

These bulbs are incredibly easy to plant. Start by choosing healthy bulbs that feel heavy and look large. They should feel dense and have nice coloration without any blemishes or cuts. Typically, the larger the bulbs are, the healthier and more colorful their flowers will be. 

Plant them root side down in the springtime after the last threat of frost has passed. The best soil temperature is at or above 65°F (18°C). Place the bulbs upright in loose, well-drained loamy soil up to 6 inches deep. You can also start them indoors earlier in the year in containers like these and transplant them when the weather warms. 

Aim for a spot with full sun or partial shade. These flowers love areas with a little afternoon shade to shield them, especially in warmer regions. 

Space each bulb about 6 inches apart to give them enough room to grow and not overcrowd each other. After planting, give them a good soaking and keep the soil lightly moist as they grow. 

Transplanting

Transplanting pineapple lilies is very easy. If you’re growing your plants in a container, give them a healthy watering before transplanting. Gently remove them from their containers without damaging their root system. 

Dig a hole that’s around twice as wide as your transplants. Keep their depth equal to their root balls. Make sure their crowns are level with the soil and carefully cover the roots with well-drained soil. Give them a good watering and keep the soil moist as they grow. 

It helps to amend the soil ahead of time with rich, organic compost. This should help the plants take in enough nutrients to produce big, beautiful blooms. After a few weeks, you should see healthy new growth. 

How to Grow

If you’re a newbie gardener or an expert looking for something easy, you’re in luck. Pineapple lilies are incredibly easy to grow and maintain. With just a few simple maintenance tasks, they’ll thrive for multiple seasons. 

These plants grow well in beds or containers. They’ll work especially well in rock gardens or the edges of pathways. 

Light

These perennial bulbs love areas with full sun or partial shade. In hot climates, they respond well to afternoon shade. 

If you have milder summers, plant your bulbs in areas with full sun to yield the best results. Avoid planting them in full shade if you want healthy blooms. These plants will barely flower in low-sunlight conditions. 

Water

Give your pineapple lilies a good soaking once the top layer of soil becomes dry. Make sure you don’t overwater your bulbs, or they may succumb to root rot. 

If you’re overwintering your bulbs, stop watering them in the fall. They’ll naturally dry out and go dormant during this time. 

Soil

Plant your bulbs in well-drained, rich, loamy soil. Add small stones and other materials to improve drainage and coarseness. 

Amend the soil with plenty of organic compost. Cultivate a healthy ecosystem of worms and other beneficial insects. If you’re not using rocks to help the soil retain moisture and protect its internal biome, add a layer of mulch around your plants. 

Temperature and Humidity

Pineapple lilies will not tolerate cool or cold temperatures. It’s important to wait until the soil is at least 65°F (18°C) to plant them. 

Once the weather and soil stay above 65°F (18°C), your plants will start producing new growth. These flowers will handle high or low humidity, so you can grow them almost anywhere in the US. 

These plants will grow as perennials in zones 7 through 10. If you live in areas below zone 7, you’ll have to overwinter your bulbs in the fall. 

Fertilizing

After planting, give your plants a light amount of balanced organic flower fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season. Make sure the plant food doesn’t touch the crown or leaves. 

Stop fertilizing in the late summer or early fall after the plants stop blooming. This will help them prepare for winter dormancy. 

Maintenance

Besides their attractive pineapple-like blooms and striking foliage, you’ll love the hands-free nature of these plants. Simply keep up with their watering and fertilizing, and they should thrive. 

If you live in zones 7 and above, stop fertilizing and watering your plants in the fall after they bloom. Leave the bulbs in the soil and let the foliage naturally die back. If you expect to have cold snaps or heavy freezes, add an extra layer of mulch above your bulbs. 

In northern zones colder than zone 7, you’ll have to treat your bulbs as annuals and discard them. Or, dig them up carefully and store them in a cool, dry place over winter. 

To do this, remove the flower stalk and let the leaves continue to die off naturally. Dig your bulbs up after the first frost and leave them in a warm, protected area until they dry out. Remove the dead foliage and store the bulbs in a dark place between 40 to 50°F. Plant your overwintered bulbs again in spring. 

Propagation

The best way to propagate your pineapple lilies is to harvest offsets in the spring. Look for the small bulbs forming at the base of the parent bulbs. 

You can gently remove the offsets and plant them as you would a parent bulb. Maintain them as you would the parent bulbs and enjoy brand-new pineapple lilies in your garden. 

Cuttings

If you’re up for a challenge, you can try propagating your bulbs via leaf cuttings. During the middle of the summer, give your plants a good soaking. With clean pruners like these, cut a large and healthy leaf at its base. 

Cut the leaf horizontally and dip the ends in a rooting hormone. This will help encourage the leaf to produce new growth and roots when planted in the soil. 

Place the cuttings in a container with well-drained soil amended with plenty of organic compost. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and ensure the container is in an area with bright indirect light. After a few weeks, gently pull at the leaves to see if they’re developing roots. Harden them off when they’re ready for transplanting outdoors. 

Popular Varieties

There are dozens of popular species and cultivars of pineapple lilies to look for. Below are a few wonderful choices for your garden. 

Eucomis bicolor ‘Gerandete’

‘Gerandate’ cultivars grow to a height of around 2 feet. They have greenish-white flowers with delicate purple trim. 

Eucomis vandermerwei ‘Octopus’

Eucomis vandermerwei ‘Octopus’ is a beautiful dwarf variety that stays under a foot high. It has dark purple to red flowers and long purple spotted leaves. 

Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy’

‘Sparkling Burgundy’ varieties are originally from the wetlands of southern Africa. They can grow to 3 feet and put on radiant pink flowers. 

Eucomis autumnalis

Eucomis autumnalis produces stunning white flowers that bloom from mid-summer into early fall. They can reach up to 2 feet tall and look amazing as border plantings. 

Common Problems

These easy-to-maintain flowers have very few problems. The most common issue people have is overwatering. This can cause drooping, wilting, or yellowing leaves. 

Severe overwatering may cause root rot in severe cases. To prevent this, only water your plants once the upper inch of soil dries out. 

Pests

Pineapple lilies are fairly resilient to pests. However, watch out for snails, slugs, and aphids. Aphids are the most serious pest. Watch for sticky honeydew on the leaves and spray them away with water. 

Avoid planting your bulbs in low-lying areas where excess moisture can develop. Stick to a steady watering schedule.