About

Arisaema nepenthoides is a tuberous perennial that reaches heights of approximately 90 cm. It features dark green leaves that are divided into five or seven leaflets, supported by yellow-green stems marked with black splashes. The flowers emerge prior to the foliage, characterized by a distinctive stem and a pale green spathe that can grow up to 20 cm in length, displaying black and white striping.

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
Partial shade
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Bulbs
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden
Native to
Himalaya, 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 but tubers must not dry out when dormant
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown 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