Also known as Pineapple Lily · 18 gardener saves
Eucomis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Eucomis, the genus most gardeners know as pineapple lily. We track 10 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 10 most-saved Eucomis varieties
Of 10 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSparkling Burgundy Pineapple Lily
Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy'
#2 most savedPineapple Lily
Eucomis comosa
#3 most savedAfrican Night Pineapple Lily
Eucomis autumnalis 'African Night'
Pineapple Lily
Eucomis amaryllidifolia
Dwarf Pineapple Lily
Eucomis humilis
Giant Pineapple Lily
Eucomis pallidiflora 'pole-evansii'
Montana Eucomis
Eucomis montana
Vandermerwei Pineapple Lily
Eucomis vandermerwei
Zambezi Pineapple Lily
Eucomis zambesiaca
Octopus Pineapple Lily
Eucomis vandermerwei 'Octopus'
How to grow Eucomis
What the Eucomis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 10 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Eucomis year
- PlantMarch and April100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep after the danger of hard frost has passed
- FertilizeApril–July100% of varieties
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Lift & StoreOctober and November50% of varieties
Dig up bulbs after foliage yellows; store dry and cool for winter
- DeadheadAugust and September40% of varieties
Cut spent flower spike back to the base to tidy appearance
- Winter PrepOctober and November40% of varieties
In-ground bulbs need heavy mulch; container bulbs should be lifted and stored
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March30% of varieties
Remove any remaining dead foliage from the previous season
Do
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water consistently during the growing season 🌱
- Apply balanced fertilizer in spring
- Apply balanced fertilizer monthly
- Water consistently during growing season 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Overwater in winter ❌
- Plant too deep
- Neglect mulching
What goes wrong with Eucomis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Mealybugs | Sticky residue on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Bulb Fly | Larvae burrow into bulbs causing rot | Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves | Improve drainage, reduce watering |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs with foul smell | Improve soil drainage and avoid overwatering |
| Fungal leaf spot | Spotted, yellowing leaves | Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation |
Making more Eucomis
Division
- Lift mature clumps in early spring.
- Gently separate offsets with a sharp knife.
- Plant divisions 4 inches deep in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly and mulch after planting.
- Wait 6 weeks for roots to establish.
Dividing bulbs
- Carefully lift bulbs in fall
- Separate offsets with a sharp knife
- Plant immediately in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly after planting
- Allow 6 weeks for roots to establish
Eucomis questions
How many types of Eucomis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 10 distinct Eucomis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 18 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Eucomis grow in?
Across its varieties, Eucomis covers USDA Zones 7–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Eucomis bloom?
Most Eucomis varieties bloom in late summer, late summer, mid to late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Eucomis should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Eucomis shows up in
By hardiness zone
Related genera
Design with Eucomis in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
