Eucomis zambesiaca

RHS Plant Profile

Zambesi pineapple lily

Synonyms

Eucomis autumnalis misapplied

Bulbs

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A compact, bulbous perennial to about 20cm producing a rosette of strap-shaped, light green leaves. Upright spikes of white, star-shaped flowers topped with a cluster of light green, leaf-like bracts, are produced in late summer

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

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–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): H3

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, Tufted
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: Malawi to N South Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in very free-draining compost in a terracotta pot and taken under cover for winter. Can grow outdoors in very mild areas, planting 10cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by removing offsets in spring, or by seed sown at 16°C in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove flower spikes once the display is over and allow foliage to die down naturally

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free