How to Grow Arisaema

An arisaema in its native habitat.

Arisaema is also commonly known as Jack in the pulpit and Indian turnip. It is a perennial flowering plant that is found growing throughout moist woodland habitats in the northeastern and southeastern United States. Arisaema is one of the more unusual plants to grow in the home garden. In spring this plant produces cylindrical-shaped green and brown striped hooded flowers that resemble a tiny pulpit. The best way to grow arisaema is to mimic its native growing habitat.

Things You'll Need

• Arisaema seeds
• Perlite or sphagnum moss
• Zip-top bag
• Spray bottle
• Seed-raising compost
• 3- or 4-inch wide pots
• Pencil or chopstick
• Trowel
• Soil amendment
• Mulch

Instructions

Preparing Arisaema Seeds

1. Gather 1 cup of sphagnum peat moss or 1/4 cup of perlite and dampen it down. It should be moist but not dripping with water.

2. Place the peat moss or perlite into a zip-top plastic bag. Put the arisaema seeds into the plastic bag and seal the bag closed. Put the bag into your refrigerator for 60 days. Mist the contents with water as often as required to keep it moist.

3. Remove the arisaema seeds after the 60 days has passed.

4. Fill up 3- or 4-inch-wide plastic pots with a good-quality seed-raising compost. Pour water into each of the plastic pots to dampen down the compost.

5. Use a pencil or chopstick to create a 3/4-inch deep hole in the center of each plastic pot. Place an arisaema seed into the hole. Sprinkle 3/4 inch of the seed compost over the top of the seeds.

6. Place the pots in a sheltered location where they will be out of direct sunlight. About eight to 10 hours of filtered light should be available every day. Keep the compost in the pots moist, misting with water as needed.

Planting and Growing Arisaema

1. Locate a planting site in your garden for the arisaema seedlings. The best site will mimic its native habitat, so choose a location in partial to full shade where they will receive plenty of moisture.

2. Turn over the soil at the planting site to mix in about 3 to 4 inches of dehydrated plant-based compost, aged steer manure or other like organic material.

3. Dig planting holes 12 to 14 inches apart for each seedling.

4. Turn a pot on its side. Use a mallet to strike downwards along the rim of the pot until you can slide it from the roots.

5. Plant an arisaema seedling into one of the planting holes. Push soil in and around the seedling to fill the hole with soil.

6. Water each seedling with about 1/2 gallon of water.

7. Mulch the planted area with a 3- to 4-inch layer of grass clippings, rotted leaves or other like material. Reapply the mulch again in autumn.

Tips & Warnings

• Germination can be lengthy, up to one to two years, depending on the variety you are growing.

• Plan on watering the arisaema regularly throughout the summer. Provide them with the equivalent of about 1 to 2 inches of water weekly, depending on conditions.

References

• The University of Connecticut: Overview on Arisaema
• Wildflower: Jack in the Pulpit
• Easy Wildflowers: Arisaema
• U.S. Forest Service: Information on Arisaema