About

Arisaema candidissimum is a tuberous perennial that reaches a height of up to 30 cm. It features leaves made up of three oval leaflets, which emerge following the flowering period. In summer, the plant produces white, hooded spathes that are 10 cm long, marked with pale pink stripes and a greenish tube.

About the genus

Arisaema consists primarily of tuberous perennials characterized by palmately lobed foliage. They feature unique tubular, hooded spathes that enclose small true flowers clustered at the base of a club-shaped or filamentous spadix. After flowering, these plants produce a spike bearing red berries.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Bulbs
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden
Native to
W China
Toxicity
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in a cool site. In colder regions may need winter protection and tubers must not dry out when dormant
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sowing them in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Offsets may be removed in late summer
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to slugs and vine weevil
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free