Eucomis is a southern African genus of flowering plants in the Hyacinthaceae family. The species name Eucomis is of Greek origin, eu- meaning “pleasing” and kome “hair of the head”, which refers to the tuft of leaf-like bracts that crown the inflorescence of the species in this genus. They are bulbous perennials with basal rosettes of leaves with stout stems covered in star-shaped flowers. Plants are commonly known as Pineapple Lilies because in several of the species the flowers resemble a pineapple. Most of the species are indigenous to the summer rainfall areas of South Africa. They grow well in rockeries and pots and under cultivation they have proved to be cold hardy, particularly when planted deeply. They are best grown in the shade and given regular water during their active growth period. This is particularly true of plants grown in sun as otherwise the leaves will become limp and burn. Plants belonging to the Eucomis genus are found in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Species can be found in grassland, forest, swamps and on river banks.

Eucomis schijffii, commonly known as Miniature Pineapple Lily, is a South African indigenous alpine bulb with a striking rosette of bluish-grey leaves and a short raceme of purplish-maroon, fetid blooms. It is frost-hardy and makes an interesting and long-lasting summer-flowering container subject or rock garden plant. This summer-growing, winter-dormant geophyte (a plant with subterranean buds produced on specialized storage organs) is one of the smallest Eucomis species, usually reaching up to 100 mm high, rarely up to 150 mm. It grows from an ovoid (egg-shaped) bulb and has perennial fleshy roots.