About
Coptis quinquefolia is a compact, evergreen perennial that reaches a height of up to 15 cm. It features glossy leaves that can expand to 10 cm across, each leaf divided into five distinct leaflets. In late spring, this plant produces solitary, white flowers with five petals.
About the genus
Coptis consists of low perennial plants that arise from spreading rhizomes. They produce small flowers that can be either white or greenish-yellow. The leaves are evergreen and are composed of two to five leaflets, which are divided.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Japan, Taiwan
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Needs moist but well-drained, acid, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Suitable for an alpine house
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free