Sauromatum venosum

RHS Plant Profile

voodoo lily

Other common names

monarch of the East, red calla

Synonyms

Sauromatum nubicum
Arum cornutum
Typhonium venosum
Sauromatum guttatum

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A tender, tuberous perennial to 45cm tall. In early summer it produces an inflorescence composed of a green spathe, heavily mottled with purple, and a foul-smelling maroon spadix. After flowering a single, large, deeply lobed leaf is produced on a purple-mottled stem

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–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): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Himalaya to Java

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant the tubers 15cm deep in late winter. Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, indirect light. In growth, water moderately; keep completely dry in winter. Outdoors, grow in well-drained, fertile, humus-rich, neutral to slightly acid soil in partial shade. Lift and store the tubers in dry, frost-free conditions over winter

Propagation

Propagate by removing offsets while dormant in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free