August Plant of the Month

Eucomis comosa -pineapple lily

by Adrienne Roethling,

Director of Curation and Mission Delivery

Eucomis comosa or pineapple lily, are hardy perennial bulbs that originated from South Africa. They get their common name by flower that resembles a tuft or a pineapple. A flowering stalk produces star shaped white flowers along the stem and is topped by a small tuft of green leaves. 

Since 2011, Eucomis comosa has been growing in several locations at the garden. Our original plant, in the Tropical Garden, has bright green leaves that gives rise to spikes of green or purple, and white, 1” sized star shaped flowers. Afterwards, the flowers form a purple seed. The flowers stalks make great cut flowers, whether in the flower or seed stage. Plants go dormant in fall and rise again in late spring.  Place pineapple lilies in full sun with good drainage.

Join or Renew your garden membership for the month of August and your name will be included in a drawing for a complimentary division of Eucomis comosa.