Arum italicum

RHS Plant Profile
Italian arum

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Italian arum Christopher Whitehouse
Italian arum RHS

Other common names

Italian lords-and-ladies, pidyn y gog eidalaidd

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In its 'wild' form is more modest than the commonly grown 'Marmoratum' but has pleasantly glossy green leaves with a tracery of paler veins

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eatenskin/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
Genus
Arum are tuberous perennials with simple, arrow-head shaped leaves and tiny flowers hidden, at the base of a yellow or purple, club-shaped spadix, within a showy, hood-like spathe, and followed by red berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe Asia Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained humus-rich soil and plant 10 to 15cm deep. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

Division of clumps of tubers should take place after flowering. Alternatively, propagate by seed sown in autumn having removed the fleshy pulp

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free