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Photo by Far Reaches Farm

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Arisaema candidissimum

Also Known As

Cobra Lily
Jack in the Pulpit

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber, aroid

size

H: 15"-18"
W: 12"-24"

planting zones

6a-9b

More Options

Arisaema candidissimum plant details

Arisaema candidissimum is a broadleaf deciduous perennial aroid bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In spring and summer pink and white flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Arisaema candidissimum

Plant type: perennial aroid bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: araceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 12 IN - 24 IN - wide, 15 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: pink and white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: big leaves, clumping, exotic, fragrant, striped flowers, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Arisaema candidissimum

USDA Zones: 6a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

(COBRA LILY) This is one of the easier of this genus to grow…an herbaceous perennial that emerges as late as May or even June. Erect 12-18” stems bordered on both sides by thrice-lobed wonga (18-24”) leaves and topped with summer pink pitchers with dramatic silver striping, later maturing to striking red seed pods. Does this sound like an alien? It looks like one! Very weird and cool…just give it a spot in rich garden soil and the same culture as hostas and epimedium (light shade, regular moisture) and amaze your friends! USDA Z5-7

By: Secret Garden Growers

Sweet Flag is not a true grass, but plants have a distinctive, grassy appearance. This selection forms a very low mound of narrow golden sword-shaped leaves, beautiful in a moist rock garden or beside a pool or stream. Flowers are green and insignificant. Spreads very slowly. Foliage remains evergreen in mild regions.

By: Noname Nursery

Many folks insist that there is a fragrance emanating for the unusual and only pink flowered Arisaema, but I've never detected any. Very large leaves on a 12" - 24" plant. As with all of the Arisaemas, full shade to part sun, good rich soil produce the best plants.

By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

One of the most unique and largest-leafed cobra lilies, yet easy to grow. The flowers are pink with white stripes, the 3-lobed leaves can reach over in 2' diameter. Grows into sizable clumps over time and can be divided for sharing. Emerges very late; late May into June, but once it emerges, things go fast and the plant goes into leaf and bloom at the same time. Grows well in shade where summers are hot (90s +) but takes quite a bit of sun in cooler climates. Needs well drained soil and don't give extra water until they sprout. Medium-sized corms, 1"+ in diameter, suitable for a 4"/quart pot. They'll most likely bloom next year.

By: Edelweiss Perennials

This pink-flowered cobra lily is one of the most desirable for ornamental purposes because of the unique colour of the spathe in a genus that consists mainly of variations of green, burgundy and white. Here the light pink spathe is striped with white. A. candidissimum is later to emerge than other species and is often not seen until May when the flowers emerge as the beautiful and sub-tropical tripartite foliage is unfurling. A beautiful species worth collecting!

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Not so much like a cobra, the white "flowers" inspire more than their fair share of exclamations even though the floral display is a bit peek-a-boo among the leaves. The foliage is large and three-part, tolerant of more direct sun than other species but still requiring moist soil.

By: Heritage Seedlings

Blooms: spring-summer, white w/pink,brown,green/ large trifoliate, glossy foliage Zone 5-9. 24', China, part shade-shade, moist, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

A cobra lily that does well in sun to light shade, this from China sends up flowers stalks in late spring/early summer topped with a pink pitcher flower, sweetly fragrant and beautifully striped with white veins. Two huge, three-lobed leaves, up to 2 ft across, follow to open beside the exotic flowers. A must have plant! Easy in sun to light or dappled shade where soil is well-drained, even rocky, and somewhat dry. Offsets quickly when happy. Frost hardy in USDA zone 5.

By: Cistus Nursery

Usually our last Arisaema to bloom which protects it from late frosts. Dreamy pink flowers with wide white stripes on 16 inch stems. Clump forming.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

One of the most sought-after Jack-in-the-Pulpits with simple large leaves and the flowers of sweetly scented virginal white (which is in total contraposition with the suggestive floral appendages so espoused in the genus but lends further credence to the notion that good girls like bad boys).

By: Far Reaches Farm

The latest of the jack in the pulpits to emerge. The lovely pink flowers are borne in June followed by large glossy leaves.

By: Gossler Farms

Garden photo gallery of Arisaema candidissimum

Photo of Arisaema candidissimum flower by Far Reaches Farm

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

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Gardening facts about Arisaema candidissimum plant

How to Grow Arisaema candidissimum

Sun Exposure
- mostly sun - shade
Water Needs
- even moisture - regular
Soil Needs
- average
- well-drained
- rich
- rocky
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- humidity tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant