Plant Profile: Eucomis comosa

This summer bulb, belonging to the Asparagaceae family (which includes asparagus), is indigenous to South Africa. It serves as a visually appealing summer-blooming plant that draws in pollinators like bees and butterflies. Before it flowers, a tall stalk adorned with green bracts and topped with short leaves resembles a pineapple, which is why it has earned one of its common names. The flowers bloom sequentially from the bottom to the top of the bracts over a period of 6 to 8 weeks, starting in July and continuing into the latter part of summer. After the flowers fade, purplish seeds develop and remain on the stalk, enhancing the plant's ornamental appeal. The color of the flowers can vary depending on the specific cultivar.

This bulb thrives in soil that is both well-watered and well-drained, rich in organic matter. It is important to keep the soil moist, but avoid waterlogging during the flowering phase. Known for its longevity, this bulb should be planted at a depth of 8 inches (20 cm), with spacing of 6 to 12 inches (15 cm) between bulbs, or one bulb per 6-inch pot. In cooler climates, it’s advisable to place the bulb in a sheltered spot, planting it 4 to 5 inches deep and covering it with a thick layer of mulch in the fall. These bulbs also adapt well to container gardening, with the tops positioned at the soil surface, and should similarly be mulched in autumn. In zone 6, it may be necessary to relocate containers and any in-ground bulbs to a protected area for winter storage.