About
Arum maculatum is a compact perennial that typically reaches a height of around 45 cm. It features glossy, arrow-shaped leaves, which frequently exhibit dark spots. In late spring, it produces variable spathes that can range from pale green to those tinged with purple. In autumn, these are succeeded by spikes that hold bright orange-red berries. The foliage typically dies back by midsummer.
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 shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- 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, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Europe
- 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
- Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil and plant 10 to 15cm deep in light shade. Easily spread by seed, and fragments of tuber, so may need controlling in some areas. A good plant for wildlife - see lords-and-ladies for more information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division of tubers when dormant after flowering. Propagate by seed, sow seeds as soon as ripe in the autumn having removed the fleshy pulp, use gloves
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free