The so-called pineapple flower (also known as the crested lily, Eucomis or pineapple lily) brings exotic flair to your own garden. But are Eucomis hardy? And what do you have to consider when planting and caring for them? We clarify.
A pineapple flower brings exoticism to your garden. The blossoms, reminiscent of a pineapple, are an eye-catcher in your green paradise or conservatory. The tropical crested lilies are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors and fit into any garden. We show you the most beautiful varieties and present important care tips.
Pineapple flower: origin and properties of the crested lily
The pineapple flower (Eucomis) owes its name to its inflorescences, which resemble the shape of a pineapple. Botanically, the pineapple flower is not related to the pineapple (Ananas comosus), but belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae).
Originally, the crested lily grew in the tropical regions of Africa. The plant was first brought to Europe by a botanist in the 18th century. In recent years, the plant has enjoyed growing popularity.
The pineapple flower is a herbaceous, perennial plant with a species-dependent growth height of 10 to 120 centimetres. It forms a pear-shaped bulb as an underground outlasting organ. The particularly striking inflorescence is elongated and consists of many individual flowers, which are usually greenish-white or red in color. The tuft of leaves at the end of the inflorescence makes the flower resemble a pineapple.
But the pineapple flower is by no means suitable for consumption because all parts of the plant are poisonous. Direct contact with the skin should also be avoided as it can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
The most beautiful varieties of pineapple flowers
The diversity of the pineapple flower is really impressive. The different species and varieties differ significantly in both size and color of the flowers.
Tip: The flowers of some species of crested lilieshave an unpleasant smell of carrion. This is to be considered when cultivating indoors.
Eucomis vandermerwei ˈOctopusˈ
Eucomis vandermerwei is a species of crested lily from the highlands of South Africa. The Eucomis vandermerwei ˈOctopusˈ variety is particularly popular as an ornamental plant. This dwarf variety only grows to about 10 centimeters in height and has leaves that are only 20 centimeters long. Their dark red to violet flowers make them a rarity. The leaves are also very decorative thanks to purple spots.
Due to its size, it is particularly suitable for cultivation in pots on the terrace or in the winter garden.
Eucomis bicolor ˈRedsˈ
The ˈRededˈ variety belongs to the species Eucomis bicolor and reaches a height of 60 centimetres. The flowers are white to green in color with a purple edge. The leaves are green with slightly light green stripes. This variety does well in a large pot outdoors or for planting out in a border.
Eucomis autumnalis
The Eucomis autumnalis is not a single variety but a species. This species of crested lily originally comes from East Africa. The flowers are bright white and can be admired from July to September. The plants reach a height of 40 to 60 centimeters.
Eucomis comosa ˈSparkling Burgundyˈ
The ˈSparkling Burgundyˈ variety comes from swampy areas in South Africa. With a height of up to 120 centimetres, it is one of the largest species of pineapple flowers. Flowering begins in July and lasts until September. The stem of the flower is reddish brown and the flowers appear pink.
Planting pineapple flowers: Tips on location & Co
Although the pineapple flower prefers to be grown outdoors, it can also be cultivated indoors. However, in the field it should be taken into account that the pineapple flower is not hardy. This means that the crested lilies must be placed indoors or in a frost-free room for the winter.
The pineapple flower can be planted outdoors from April. It prefers a very bright locationlittle direct sunlight. In addition, the location should be protected from the wind and warm for a full bloom. The soil should be deep, loose and well drained. The crested lily is sensitive to waterlogging.
Planting the bulb at a depth of about 15 centimeters and a planting distance of 20 centimeters from the next bulb are ideal. In order not to have to dig up the bulb of the pineapple lily for the winter, planting it in a bucket is very practical. When planting in pots for outdoors or in the apartment, you should also make sure that the substrate is permeable to water and rich in nutrients. To protect our environment, we recommend that you look for peat-free soil when buying potting soil. Our Plantura organic potting soil is peat-free and provides your plants with long-lasting nutrients for lush flowering.
Caring for pineapple flowers: This is how pineapple lilies feel good
After planting in spring, the onion only needs a little water. The need for water increases when the first leaves are formed. Regular watering is the key to a gorgeous pineapple flower. It thrives particularly well with rainwater. A good supply of nutrients not only ensures vigorous growth, but also beautiful flowers. We recommend using a predominantly organic fertilizer throughout the summer. Our Plantura organic flower fertilizer ensures a magnificent bloom through an optimal nutrient composition. The long-term effect of the organic flower fertilizer makes care easier. Diseases are not a significant problem in the Crested Lily.
In autumn the leaves of the crested lily dry up. The watering can now be stopped and the bucket placed in a frost-free place with a maximum temperature of 15 °C. Outdoors, now is the time to dig up the bulb. This can be placed in a container with some soil and overwintered in a cool, frost-free place. Once a month we recommend moistening the soil with the onion. You can then plant the bulb again next spring and it will sprout at full strength.
Tip: The flower of the Crested Lily is also very suitable as a cut flower for the vase.
The iris looks very good with the tropical pineapple flower. You can find out how to plant the iris correctly in our special article.