A single flower spike rises from a rosette of thick leaves and is densely covered with small, six-petalled flowers ranging from cream and green shades to pinkish-purple. The spike is topped with a pineapple-like cluster of leaves.

A single flower spike rises from a rosette of thick leaves and is densely covered with small, six-petalled flowers ranging from cream and green shades to pinkish-purple. The spike is topped with a pineapple-like cluster of leaves.


Finding a new flower is always exciting for me. Last year when I checked on my obscure flower vendor in Dangwa market, I found, for the first time in so many years of going to that market place, an interesting flower I have not seen before. I bought several stalks and was told it is called Pineapple Lily. At home, I checked the flower’s name and it is indeed called Pineapple Lily. Apparently, it is not an uncommon plant but is widely available from the florist or the gardeners in America. I wonder why they are not being commercially grown in the Philippines despite its economic potential. It is nearly a year now since I first spotted that flower and I have not seen them again.

Pineapple Lily or Eucomis is a genus of African bulbs in the hyacinth family Hyacinthaceae. Most species of this genus are commonly referred to as pineapple flowers or pineapple lilies. The name “Eucomis” is of Greek origin, “eu-” meaning “pleasing” and “kome” “hair of the head”, thus referring to the tuft of leaf-like bracts that crown the inflorescence of the species in this genus.There are some eleven species in this genus. Eucomis can be found in grassland, forest, swamps and on river banks, but is absent from the drier regions.

Eucomis is a magnificent garden plant, well suited to pockets in the rockery. It can also be used in groups as borders, planted en masse, or in large containers. The flowers look good for many weeks in the garden, and last for a week or two in the vase. The fruiting inflorescence is also decorative and can be kept for up to a month in the vase.

Eucomis is a magnificent garden plant, well suited to pockets in the rockery. It can also be used in groups as borders, planted en masse, or in large containers. The flowers look good for many weeks in the garden, and last for a week or two in the vase. The fruiting inflorescence is also decorative and can be kept for up to a month in the vase.

Eucomis species are attractive feature plants for the garden. This is a very easy plant to grow, relatively needing little or no special attention (in very cold districts the dormant bulbs may be lifted and replanted in spring). Bulbs put into the garden should be planted level with or just below the soil surface in a well drained, warm and sheltered position in full sun.

My modern and simplistic approach to arranging the Pineapple Lilies.

My modern and simplistic approach to arranging the Pineapple Lilies.

The foliage is broad with a spread of 12 to 15 inches wide. The flower form in the center of the plant on a strong and thick stems 12 to 15 inches tall. The flower looks like a spike with tightly arranged white flowers about ½ inch wide on the top of this stem.

The foliage is broad with a spread of 12 to 15 inches wide. The flower form in the center of the plant on a strong and thick stems 12 to 15 inches tall. The flower looks like a spike with tightly arranged white flowers about ½ inch wide on the top of this stem.

Purple and white flowerets with a pronounced crown.

Purple and white flowerets with a pronounced crown.