Eucomis comosa, commonly known as Pineapple Lily, is a bulbous perennial herb native to South Africa, particularly found in grasslands and open spaces in the Eastern Cape Province. It typically grows from a large bulb, which can be purple in color, reaching a height of 40–60 cm (16–24 in). The inflorescence is a raceme that appears in summer, around late July or early August in the UK, and is topped with a head of bracts that resemble a pineapple’s tuft, hence the common name. The flowers are usually cream to greenish-white, sometimes with a purple edge, and emit a pleasant coconut-like scent. The foliage may also be spotted or tinged with purple, adding to the plant’s decorative appeal.

Pineapple Lily is celebrated for its unique and exotic appearance, with cultivars offering a range of colors and leaf variegations. It is often used in borders, container gardens, and as an accent plant due to its striking form and flower resemblance to a pineapple. The plant is surprisingly hardy in the UK, tolerating temperatures down to −5 or −10 °C (23 or 14 °F), but requires a sheltered location with full sun exposure and a protective mulch in winter in frost-prone areas. ’Sparkling Burgundy’, a cultivar with reddish-purple leaves, has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Eucomis comosa thrives in well-drained soil with consistent moisture during the growing season but can tolerate drier conditions once established.CC BY-SA 4.0