Pineapple flower: plants, overwintering & varieties

The so-called pineapple flower (also known as a flower lily, Eucomis or pineapple lily) brings an exotic flair to your own garden. But are Eucomis hardy? And what do you have to consider when planting and caring for? We clarify.

A pineapple flower brings exoticism to your garden. The flowers, which are reminiscent of a pineapple, are an eye-catcher in your green paradise or winter garden. The tropical potty lilies are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors and fit into every garden. We will show you the most beautiful varieties and present important care tips.

Pineapple flower: origin and characteristics of the potted lily

The pineapple flower (Eucomis) owes its name to its inflorescences, which are reminiscent of the shape of a pineapple. From a botanical point of view, however, the pineapple flower is not related to the pineapple (Pineapple comosus), but belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae).

Originally the flower lily grew in the tropical regions of Africa. Already in the 18th In the 19th century, the plant was first brought to Europe by a botanist. The plant has grown in popularity in recent years.

The pineapple flower is an herbaceous, perennial plant with a species-dependent growth height of 10 to 120 centimeters. It forms a pear-shaped onion as a subterranean perennial 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.

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 the pineapple flower

The variety of the pineapple flower is really impressive. The different types and varieties differ significantly both in the size and in the color of the flowers.

Tip: The flowers of some types of potted lily have an unpleasant odor of carrion. This must be taken into account when cultivating in living space.

Eucomis vandermerwei "Octopus"

at Eucomis vandermerwei it is a poppy lily species from the high altitudes of South Africa. The variety Eucomis vandermerwei "Octopus" is particularly valued as an ornamental plant. This dwarf variety is only about 10 centimeters high and has leaves that are only 20 centimeters long. Their dark red to purple flowers make them a rarity. The leaves are also very decorative thanks to the purple polka dots.
Due to its size, it is particularly suitable for growing in pots on the terrace or in the winter garden.

Eucomis bicolor Redgedˈ

The cultivar Randeteˈ belongs to the species Eucomis bicolor and reaches a height of 60 centimeters. The flowers are white to green in color with a purple border. The leaves are green with light green stripes. This strain is good for a large pot outdoors or for planting in a flower bed.

Eucomis autumnalis

In the Eucomis autumnalis it is not a single variety, but a species. This type of flower head originally comes from East Africa. The flowers are brilliant white and can be admired from July to September. The plants reach a height of 40 to 60 centimeters.

Eucomis comosa "Sparkling Burgundy"

The Sparkling Burgundyˈ variety comes from swamp areas in South Africa. With a height of up to 120 centimeters, it is one of the largest species of pineapple flowers. Flowering begins in July and continues into September. The stem of the flower is reddish brown in color and the flowers appear in a pink tone.

Planting pineapple flowers: tips on location & Co

The pineapple flower prefers the outdoors, but can also be cultivated indoors. However, in the field it must be taken into account that the pineapple flower is not hardy. This means that the potted lilies must be placed in the apartment or a frost-free room for the winter.

The pineapple flower can be planted outdoors from April. It prefers a very bright location with little direct sunlight. In addition, the location should definitely be sheltered from the wind and warm for a full bloom. The soil should be deep, loose and well drained of water. The bloom is sensitive to waterlogging.
A planting depth of about 15 centimeters for the onion and a planting distance of 20 centimeters to the next onion 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 the field or the apartment, you should also pay attention to a water-permeable and nutrient-rich substrate. We recommend that you look for peat-free soil to protect our environment when buying potting soil. Our Plantura organic potting soil is peat-free and provides your plants with long-lasting nutrients for lush flowers.

Caring for pineapple flowers: this is how pineapple lilies feel good

After planting in spring, the onion requires little water. The need for water increases when the first leaves are formed. Regular watering is the key to a beautiful pineapple flower. It thrives particularly well with rainwater. A good supply of nutrients not only ensures vigorous growth, but also a beautiful flower. We recommend that you use a predominantly organic fertilizer over the summer. Our Plantura organic flower fertilizer ensures a splendid bloom thanks to an optimal nutrient composition. The long-term effects of the Organic flower fertilizer facilitates maintenance. Diseases are not a significant problem with the potty lily.

In autumn the leaves of the flower head dry off. Now the water supply can be stopped and the bucket placed in a frost-free place with a maximum temperature of 15 ° C. In the field, now is the time to dig up the onion. This can be placed in a container with a little soil and also overwintered in a cool, frost-free place. We recommend moistening the soil with the onion once a month. You can then plant the bulb again next spring and it will sprout with full force.

tip: The flower of the flower lily is also very suitable as a cut flower for the vase.

The iris works very well with the tropical pineapple flower. How do you Planting irises correctly, you can find out in our special article.