The strange - looking flowers resemble their namesake yield .
Grown for its power to bestow insistent tropic vibes to a infinite , pineapple lily is a genus of tender bulb aboriginal to South Africa . There are more than 10 species ofEucomiswith raw hybrid becoming available every yr .
The 12- to 20 - inch flower spikes have star - like flush in green , ashen , pinkish , or purpleness that attract hummingbirds , butterfly , and other pollinating insects . Above the flowers at the top of the flush spike posture a pineapple - corresponding tuft of diminished leaves . The parting are wide and strappy .
Credit: Denny Schrock
weigh on Ananas comosus lily to bloom for six week or more in summer . After the bloom , the flowers turn into showy seeded player capsule . The flower spikes make undecomposed cut flowers with a vase living of more than three weeks .
Pineapple lily grows well in both the landscape and in container . In frigid climate , labour up bulb and save them in a frost - free place over winter or simply treat them as annuals and revel them for one season .
Where to Plant Pineapple Lily
Except for the hot climates , where it benefits from some afternoon subtlety , plant life Ananas comosus lily in a location with full sun . In term of grime and pH scale , the flora are adaptable but fantabulous drainage is all-important .
In their native South Africa , pineapple plant lily grow in open , rocky areas , which makes them a pure choice for rock gardens . Flower borders are o.k. too if the dirt drain well . Pineapple lily also make a good container plant , either on its own or as an accent plant in a larger container .
For the best force , plant life pineapple lily in group of three or more bulbs together to create an eye - catch exhibit of bluff leafage and flush .
Credit: Denny Schrock
Pair this sheer tropical electric light with promising magenta , over-embellished , yellow , and orange annual for a summer - long parade of colour .
How and When to Plant Pineapple Lily
When pick out bulb , sizing matter — larger bulbs produce larger plants .
establish the bulbs in the spring after there is no more danger of frost and ground temperatures are above 65 degrees F.
Depending on the sizing of the bulb , plant them 4 to 6 inches deep , with the root side down . Space the lightbulb about 6 inches apart .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Mulch the planting area and keep it evenly moist but not pissed .
Pineapple Lily Care Tips
If you live in a coolheaded mood and you do n’t want to purchase fresh light bulb every twelvemonth , overwinter the bulbs bestow an redundant step to the plant guardianship but other than that , pineapple lily does not require much effort to grow .
Light
A location infull sunis more often than not undecomposed for the plant to flourish , however , in live climate , some filtered sun or partial shade in the afternoon is beneficial .
Soil and Water
The most significant soil characteristic is good drainage because the roots of the plant will rot in heavy , wet , or boggy filth . Fertile soil with apH between 5.5 and 7.5is ideal but pineapple lily also adapt to less nutrient - plentiful ground .
After the plant are established , they are drought - tolerant and wo n’t ask additional watering except in stop of prolonged drought .
Temperature and Humidity
Pineapple lily ishardy in Zone 7 and above , though it may also overwinter in Zone 6 when its root zone is cover with a thick mantle of mulch . In dusty zone , dig up in - ground or containerise bulbs in the fall beforeyour field ’s first frost .
Fertilizer
In the spring when the plants set out to develop , apply a ended balanced fertiliser . Depending on how rich the soil is , and for container plants , monthly applications ofliquid fertilizerduring the develop seasons avail to keep the plant lush and vigorous .
Pruning
It is up to you whether you want to remove the spent flowers after the bloom or let them sprain into showy seed condensation . white-livered , dead or diseased leaves and stems , on the other hand , should be withdraw promptly .
At the end of the time of year , do n’t dress the foliage , rather , let it break down back of course .
Potting and Repotting Pineapple Lily
Pineapple lily is a child’s play to acquire in a container . Make indisputable the potful has good drain hole and use rough-cut , well - draining potting mix .
institute one bulb in a 5- to 6 - inch potbelly or three to five bulb in a 12 - inch pot . satisfy the container to the top so the bulbs are amply encompass with soil .
Despite the drought - tolerance of pineapple lily , potted plants need frequent watering , as the soil dries out much quicker than garden soil .
When the bulbs have filled the pot , repot the plant to a larger pot or divide it . Pineapple lily grown as annuals wo n’t involve repotting .
Pests and Problems
Pineapple lily is unbothered by serious pestis or disease although it attract slugs , snails , and aphid .
The plant life is immune to cervid and rabbits .
How to Propagate Pineapple Lily
While it is possible to propagate ananas lily from folio press clipping and seeded player , it takes three to four long time for plants to pass the flowering stage . A faster way of life to circularise the plant life is to separate the works about every three long time after it has grown sizeable bulb offset . In the early leaping , carefully moil up the intact lump . wash away the dirt off with a hosepipe and break them asunder or use a sharp knife to single out them . Replant the bulb at the same depth as the original plant .
Note that some cultivar of pineapple lily areprotected by a plant patentand may not be disperse in any form .
Types of Pineapple Lily
‘Leia’ Pineapple Lily
' Leia ' ( ' Aloha Lily Leia ' ) is a stocky miscellany with striking sour flowers . Its burgundy - maroon buds open to raspberry - pinkish flowers . It blooms in midsummer , several weeks earlier than other pineapple lily . Zones 7 - 10
‘Sparkling Burgundy’ Pineapple Lily
Eucomis comosa’Sparkling Burgundy ' bears purple leaf and pink - blushed efflorescence in summertime . It grow 2 feet grandiloquent . Zones 7 - 9 .
‘Purple Reign’ Pineapple Lily
This hybrid ( trademark name ‘ crown nimbus ’ ) has deep burgundy leafage that holds its blue color well into summer . The star - forge flowers are a blush pink when they open up , then turn a mystifying mauve . Zone 6 - 9
Pineapple Lily Companion Plants
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoais an annual with horn - shaped yearly bloom that grows and blooms at an astonishing charge per unit . Calibrachoa blooms come in a rainbow of options , including yellow star , patch , veined and segmented petal , and sometimes combinations of all of the above . The passing vigorous flora thrive in full Sunday , both in garden beds and container . Thanks to all-encompassing nurture , they bloom all season , no matter how long or short the days are in the dip .
Angelonia
Also called summer snapdragon , angeloniais a spectacular improver for uninterrupted coloring in any garden . A warm - climate perennial or annual , angelonia remain firm up against summer ’s heat and humidness with no job . Most angelonia plants grow upright with spires of flowers and deep unripe , showy foliage . The plants normally do n’t grow more than 1 foot tall so they wo n’t tower even over myopic neighbour . Zone 9 - 11
Sweet Potato Vine
This vigorously growing yearly vine is grown in the first place for its superb foliage and value for its ability to power through just about anything while bringing interesting form , sizes , and colors to a garden bed or container . Sweet white potato vinethrives in the summer heating system . Typically used as trotline in container , they also make fantastic groundcovers .
Frequently Asked Questions
It is possible to grow ananas lily from source but it is not recommended for two reason . seeded player from a crossbreed or cultivar wo n’t grow plants that are honest to the parent , and it takes several year for them to blossom . So at the end of a foresighted wait , you might be let down that the new industrial plant is n’t what you expected .
If you live in Zone 7 or above , simply leave the bulbs in the ground over the wintertime . In cool climates , polish off the flower stalk soon after flowering and let the foliage maturate until it cash in one’s chips back by nature . After the first hoarfrost , dig up the bulbs yet keep the foliation attach . get the industrial plant dry out in a ardent , teetotal , well - ventilate space away from unmediated sunshine until the foliage has dried . Remove the numb foliation and store the bulbs at 45 to 50 degrees F in a dry localization . Replant the bulbs the next spring after the last spring frost . In cooler climates , bring potted pineapple plant lilies indoors for the winter .
update by Nadia Hassani
