About

Arum 'Chameleon' is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial characterized by its large, wavy, arrow-shaped leaves that exhibit a marbled pattern of green and grey, framed by a tidy green edge. In late spring, the plant produces white flowers, which are succeeded by spikes of vibrant orange-red berries that persist into the summer months. The foliage of this Arum species goes dormant during the summer and resumes growth in late autumn.

About the genus

Arum consists of perennial plants that develop tubers. They feature simple leaves shaped like arrows and possess small flowers concealed at the base of a yellow or purple, club-like spadix, which is enveloped by a prominent, hood-like spathe. This is followed by the production of red berries.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam, Clay, Chalk
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump forming, Matforming
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden
Toxicity
TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

Cultivation
Grows best in partial shade in moisture retentive but well drained soils
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by division
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free