Eucomis montana

RHS Plant Profile

montane pineapple lily

Bulbs

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A bulbous perennial to about 40cm forming a rosette of upright, strap-shaped, bright green leave. Produces a dense, upright spike of star-shaped, green or white flowers with brownish-purple centres, topped with a cluster of leafy bracts, on a stout purple or purple-spotted stem in early to mid-autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
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
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E South Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 15cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Mulch well over winter in colder areas. See eucomis cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn or spring. Alternatively remove offsets in spring or take leaf cuttings in early to mid-summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Sub-tropical
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free