General Description/History

Pineapple lilies produce a thick red-purple stem with short flower spikes (usually @ 30 cm long). They are usually sold as single stems or bunches without leaves. Spikes are made up of many, very pretty star-shaped flowers with 6 petals. They have a long vase life. Flower colour is white to pale pink to light purple, and open flowers have a dark centre that is usually purple in colour. Buds have a greenish tinge, and spikes can bear open flowers from the base right to the top. Stamens are long and tipped with yellow anthers. Flowers open from the bottom of the spike up. There is a distinctive tuft of dark green bracts at the top of each spike that gives the spike a pineapple appearance, hence its name.

What to look for

• Straight stems;
• Buy when about 1/3 of the lower flowers in the spike are fully open;
• Avoid bunches with all the flowers open or shriveled.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool at all times, but does not need to be refrigerated.
2. Recut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in water immediately.
3. Always use a preservative as this will help open buds and maintain the open flowers.
4. Replace vase water with fresh preservative every day.
5. Remove withered and dying flowers.
6. Mildly sensitive to ethylene. Keep them away from fruit, car exhausts and cigarette smoke.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

The name Eucomis comes from the Greek word eukomos, meaning lovely-haired, in reference to a crown of bracts on the top of each flower.

Botanical Name: Eucomis comosa

Common Names: Pineapple Lily

Stem Length: 20 – 50 cm

Country of Origin: South Africa

Available Colours: Green, Pink, Purple, White, Yellow

Season: Summer,Spring

Availability: January,February,September,October,November,Decemeber