Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Arisaema consanguineum

Himalayan cobra lily

A tall, tuberous perennial producing a single, umbrella-shaped leaf with 11-20 leaflets 20cm or more in length, on a stem up to a metre high. Below this, in summer, is the dark, purple-brown hooded spathe marked with fine green and white stripes. Striking, bright red berries appear in autumn

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Brown Green White Green
Autumn Red
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Araceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Arisaema are mostly tuberous perennials usually with palmately lobed leaves, and distinctive tubular, hooded spathes within which the tiny true flowers are clustered at the base of the club-like or filamentous spadix, followed by a spike of red berries

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Himalaya to SE Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a cool site. Tubers must not dry out when dormant, and may need winter protection in colder areas

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sowing them in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring, or remove offsets in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.