About
Arisaema speciosum var. magnificum is a herbaceous perennial that reaches approximately 80 cm during the summer. Typically, it features one or sometimes two green leaves, each divided into three leaflets that are edged in deep red. From May to June, it produces a prominent spathe with striking deep red stripes, housing a darker spadix within. This variety is notable for its elongated, slender appendage that can extend up to a meter in length.
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, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- 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