Mandragora officinarum

RHS Plant Profile
common mandrake

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common mandrake RHS
common mandrake RHS

Other common names

devil's apple, devil's candle, devil's food, medicinal mandrake

Synonyms

Atropa mandragora
Mandragora vernalis
Mandragora officinalis

Herbaceous Perennial
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A perennial with a fleshy tap root producing a rosette of dark green leaves up to 30cm long, upright at first then lying flat on the ground. In spring, a cluster of upright, bell-shaped flowers, greenish-white with purple staining, appear in the centre of the rosette, followed by yellow fruit

Position

Full sun

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
Aspect
South–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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Solanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats) TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Mandragora are perennials with fleshy taproots producing large rosettes of leaves and stemless, bell-shaped flowers followed by fleshy fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, well-drained soil in a warm, sunny position, protected from cold, drying wind and excessive winter wet. Avoid disturbance once established

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or in autumn or root cuttings taken in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free