Arisaema Culture

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema) cultural requirements:

Arisaema cultural requirements are fairly straight forward as long as some of their basic requirements are met. Arisaema will all do best in a loose, open soil structure, which will provide them with the good drainage they need, which is a must. Planting arisaema in raised beds and incorporating pine bark, compost, coarse sand, pea gravel or grit will give the greatest results. If planting arisaema in the open garden without raised beds, amending the area where they are going to be planted with any of the above will also work well to make sure arisaema do not have any problems with wet soil during dormancy, which can lead to tuber rot. Good drainage is the key to tuber rot. Most arisaema require shade in the summer (except where noted) and regular watering until late summer. Plan on mulching the first year to help protect the tubers as they get established. Mulching can also help protect those species that are somewhat border line in hardiness in your area.Incorporating some bulb booster or bone meal into the hole before planting is also advised. Some Asian arisaema may emerge early in the spring and will need protection from early frosts, so protect the new growth until the threat has passed.

In general, our native arisaema (jack-in-the-pulpits) thrive in fairly moist, rich organic soil, bordering on bog-like conditions, especially anywhere that is wet in the spring.

The Asian arisaema do well in rich organic soil but require excellent drainage; any water around the dormant tuber in winter is bound to cause problems.

All the Arisaema tubers we sell are blooming size.

Note: If you receive dormant tubers and are unable to plant out in the garden, you can store the tubers in long fiber sphagnum moss in the refrigerator, heated garage (think cool and dry) or anywhere where the tuber will not freeze until your ground has thawed and is workable.

If you would like to read more about the genus Arisaema we would recommend 'The Genus Arisaema' by Guy and Liliane Gusman