Arisaema griffithii

RHS Plant Profile

Griffith's cobra lily

John Fielding

Synonyms

Arisaema hookerianum
Arisaema verrucosum
Arisaema griffithii var. verrucosum

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A tuberous perennial to 60cm tall, with 2 large leaves divided into 3 diamond-shaped leaflets. In early summer it produces a spathe 10-25cm long just above the ground; it is purple or green, heavily veined and hooded like a cobra

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

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

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): H2

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: Humans/Pets: Harmful if eatenskin/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: S Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant the tubers 20cm deep in winter or spring, into moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a cool, partially shaded site. Requires winter protection. Can also be grown in deep pots in a cold greenhouse

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free