Pineapple Lily (Eucomis comosa) is not a fruit, but a perennial bulb related to asparagus. Tiny buds are packed along a vertical stem, similar to Liatris. An active imagination might conjure this into a skinny pineapple, hence the common name. Eucomis (pronounced yoo-CO-miss or YOO-co-miss) are perennial in zones 7b through 10a. They bloom best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They want a well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter and thrive with generous irrigation, although they will survive limited drought. Wet or boggy soils will result in root rot.
Pineapple Lily flowers attract bees and butterflies. Flowers are available in ivory, pink, or lavender shades, often flecked with either green, burgundy or ivory. The long thick leaves emerge at ground level and resemble amaryllis or crinum. The blooms start opening at the bottom and work their way to the top, over a long bloom period of eight weeks or so. ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ is a widely available cultivar. It has lavender flowers on a purple stem and the leaves have a wine tint also. ‘Freckles’ has reddish flowers. There is a cultivar with yellow/green flowers and foliage, but I have not found it in local nurseries.
The narrow, upright growth form means this plant can be sited in tight spaces where many other flowers would not fit. A mature clump will reach two feet tall with a spread between one and two feet. They look spectacular when planted in large drifts. Pineapple Lilies also perform well in containers, but I recommend that you keep them away from nose-level. They are pollinated by flies, so it is not a surprise that some of them smell rank. Bulbs in the ground should be somewhat deep (4-5 inches) but those in containers should be just under soil surface. A winter mulch helps ensure their longevity.
A group of Eucomis