'Safari Adventure' Pineapple Lily (Eucomis)
Perennial
- Foliage and flowers resemble a pineapple plant!
- Flowers are bicolor, turning from cream to pink-purple.
- Surprisingly easy to grow, even in zone 6.
- Zones 6-9, sun/part sun, 3' tall x 4' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Fun fact: this plant isn't related to pineapple at all! This tropical-looking perennial is actually in the asparagus family. It's fairly easy to grow, even in zone 6, but requires extra winter protection. If it doesn't emerge the following spring, don't worry. It's one of the last plants to break from dormancy and may not start growing until summer!
Details
Common name: Pineapple lily
Zone: 6 - 9
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 2.5 -3' x 3.5 - 4'
Flower color: Pink and white
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer and fall
Bloom time: Late summer, early fall
Features: Rare & unusual, heat tolerant, container plants
Uses: Accent, container planting, ornamental, cottage garden, tropical garden, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Sun (6+ hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun). We suggest cooler climates choose locations with sun for best performance.
Water: Average. Grows poorly in water-logged soils.
Spacing: 4 feet
Fertilizing: In average soils, none needed. In poor soils a light application of time release fertilizer in spring is enough.
Winterizing: Requires extra winter protection in zones 6 and 7. Apply a thick layer of mulch or leaf litter to insulate the plant. If growing in containers, relocate your pot to a frost-free area for winter (garage or shed).
Maintenance & pruning: Plant the crown deep below the soil line (around 6 inches). Requires little maintenance, except for cutting the flower stalks after flowering. Foliage can be left standing to protect the plant in winter and cut back in spring.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.