The Plant Guide

Browse the Full Plant Guide

Bicolor pineapple lily

Eucomis bicolor

yew-KOE-miss BY-kul-or Audio

This species boasts maroon-speckled stems and green flowers with maroon margins. The flowers occur on thick, solitary stalks bearing bottle-brush-like wands of tightly-clung florets, which are crowned by tufts of green bracts. As the common name implies, these unusual and magnificent inflorescences are reminiscent of pineapples.

Noteworthy CharacteristicsThese bulbs with strap-shaped leaves are native to the dry screes and annually damp meadows of South Africa and tropical southern Africa. 

CarePlant bulbs 6 inches deep, in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. In cooler climates, plant in containers for garden display and overwinter in a frost free location. Water freely in active growth; they do best if dry when dormant.

PropagationSow seed in autumn or spring or remove offsets in spring and replant.

ProblemsGenerally trouble-free.

  • Genus : Eucomis
  • Plant Height : 1 to 3 feet
  • Plant Width : 1 to 3 feet
  • Zones : 10, 8, 9
  • Plant Type : Bulbs
  • Uses : Containers
  • Light : Full Sun
  • Flower Color : Green, Red
  • Bloom Time : Late Summer, Summer
  • Moisture : Medium Moisture
  • Maintenance : Moderate
  • Growth Rate : Moderate
  • Characteristics : Showy Fruit
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest

Related Plants

Related Articles

More From the Plant Guide

Winter Interest

Partial Shade

Browse the Full Plant Guide