Two-coloured Pineapple Lily Plant Care

Eucomis bicolor Baker

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Eucomis bicolor, the variegated pineapple lily or just pineapple lily, is a bulbous species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae, native to Southern Africa. The pale green, purple-margined flowers are arranged in a spike (raceme), topped by a "head" of green leaflike bracts.

🪴Houseplants🌼Perennials
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Plant Two-coloured Pineapple Lily in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Two-coloured Pineapple Lily Native To?

Native range10 countries

What Is the Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily (Eucomis bicolor) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Eucomis genus. Two-coloured Pineapple Lily is native to Southern Africa. Two-coloured Pineapple Lily is also known as Pineapple Lily.

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily displays a clumping, upright habit growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Two-coloured Pineapple Lily produces showy spikes of star-shaped flowers in shades of white, green, or pink.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Water a young or newly planted Two-coloured Pineapple Lily every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Two-coloured Pineapple Lily Need?

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Two-coloured Pineapple Lily Prefer?

Eucomis bicolor tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Two-coloured Pineapple Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Two-coloured Pineapple Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Feed Two-coloured Pineapple Lily every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Prune Two-coloured Pineapple Lily while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Two-coloured Pineapple Lily in Winter?

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pineapple lily plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Two-coloured Pineapple Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Two-coloured Pineapple Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Two-coloured Pineapple Lily?

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily is susceptible to aphids, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Two-coloured Pineapple Lily Need?

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Two-coloured Pineapple Lily is native to Southern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Two-coloured Pineapple Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Eucomis genus — compare its care with other Eucomis species on PlantoScan.

Eucomis is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.

Two-coloured Pineapple Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Eucomis Species

Other Eucomis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Eucomis bicolor Baker, family Asparagaceae (first published in Gard. Chron. , n.s., 10: 492 (1878)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Two-coloured Pineapple Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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