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Lysichiton americanus

Also Known As

Lysichiton americanum
Skunk Cabbage
Swamp Lantern

Plant type

perennial, aquatic, aroid

size

H: 2'-5'
W: 2'-5'

planting zones

6a-8b

More Options

Lysichiton americanus plant details

Lysichiton americanus is a broadleaf deciduous perennial aquatic aroid with green foliage. In spring yellow flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and standing water - high water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in clay soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Lysichiton americanus

Plant type: perennial aquatic aroid
Plant family: araceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 2 FT - 5 FT - wide, 2 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring
Uses: big leaves, bog garden, container plant, fragrant, native plant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Lysichiton americanus

USDA Zones: 6a - 8b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: standing water - high
Resistant to: deer, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: clay

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Saddled with a name that scares some away, Skunk Cabbage has a glowing lemon-yellow spathe and spadix and glossy bright green leaves 3 ft long and wide. With ornamental uses not fully appreciated, it has been underused in the bog garden. Swamp Lantern, another common name, conjures up a more pleasant and more apt image. It would be a wonderful companion to Sarracenias, Rodgersia, Ligularia, Farfugium, ferns, Podophyllum, Tricyrtis, Veratrum, Trollius, Zantedeschia, and even, particularly if you live at the coast, Tree Fern (Dicksonia)! What a lush and interesting garden that would be. Its spring bloom is minimally "fragrant". Available for bare-root shipping, while semi-dormant, through April 15. Minimum temperature: -10°F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

It's funny how we ignore our native skunk cabbage when the Brits make such stunning use of it in their gardens. A harbinger of spring in the wild moist places of BC these swamp lanterns lift their golden yellow spathes in early spring which are followed by large "tropical" foliage. Moist soil, bog gardens or containers without drainage.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Blooms: late winter, yellow spathe & spadex/ deciduous, very large green leaves Zone 3-9. 3'-5', PNW, part shade-shade, moist-wet.

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

To counteract winter blues, "see the brave spears of skunk cabbage already advanced towards a new year" (Thoreau) ; Very early in spring producing heat enough to melt snow; protect the yellow ball of flowers..real characters! Wet