The white to purple flowers appear in summer and are arranged in a spike (raceme), topped by a "head" of green leaflike bracts.

The inflorescence, a raceme, appears in summer (late July or early August in the UK) and is borne on a stem (peduncule) 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall.

[3] The overall effect is of a miniature pineapple plant (Ananas comosus), though in fact the two species are not closely related.

Described as "surprisingly hardy" in the UK,[3] down to −5 or −10 °C (23 or 14 °F),[3][4] it needs a sheltered spot in full sun, and a protective mulch in winter when grown where frosts occur.

[4] In the UK, the compact cultivar 'Leia' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.