Eucomis pallidiflora
giant pineapple lily
A robust, bulbous perennial to 1.5m tall, with erect, strap-shaped light green leaves to 30cm long, with crinkled margins, and bearing racemes 40-80cm long of starry, greenish-white flowers in late summer
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted, 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
- South Africa, Lesotho
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant bulb deeply, at least 15cm deep, to support the very tall stem, in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Mulch well in colder areas. Tall flower spikes may need staking. See eucomis cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in autumn or spring or remove offsets in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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