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    • Photo of Rohdea japonica by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Rohdea japonica

    Also Known As

    • Nippon Lily
    • Sacred Lily

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 12"-15"
    • W: 12"-24"

    planting zones

    • 6a-11

    More Options

    Rohdea japonica plant details

    A very useful evergreen foliage plant that can smarten up the edges of a border even in deep shade. Forming a sturdy clump of broad leathery leaves, the foliage looks good throughout the year. Resembles a cross between a tropical bromeliad and a cast iron plant. Little white flowers are tucked into the base of the foliage and might go unnoticed, but the following red-orange fruit are a bit showy. Does well in moist, rich soil, but also puts up with drought. Ours gets no supplemental water in the Pacific Northwest and doesn't complain.

    Rohdea japonica is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with green foliage. In spring green flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Grows well with bright shade - shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Rohdea japonica

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: liliaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 12 IN - 24 IN - wide, 12 IN - 15 IN - tall
    Flowers: green blooms in spring
    Uses: border plant, easy-to-grow, leathery leaves, mass-planting, tropical-looking, winter interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Rohdea japonica

    USDA Zones: 6a - 11
    Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    (SACRED LILY) Evergreen perennial with lily-like 1’ clumps of dark green, strappy leaves...superb small scale ground cover for shaded sites...elegant; rhizomatous (not invasive) Valued mostly for its foliage, but also has large succulent red fruits in fall from small white summer basal flowers that last well into winter. Moist, humus rich soils, part shade to full shade. Happy in pots too. Thrives in the PNW...rarely offered. USDA Z6 4” pot

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    Tropical-looking and tenacious, this rare highly praised Asian perennial premieres slow growing vase-shaped rosettes of long strapping dark green leaves that maintain a textural presence year round. Unusual pineapple-like blooms appear on short stalks followed by brilliant red-orange clustered fruit, persisting through winter and dramatically offset wide, leathery up and outward arching evergreen foliage. Reminiscent of a Hosta, Sacred Lily makes a handsome container subject or low maintenance ground cover, where it easily tackles deer, drought and deep shade.

    By: Digging Dog Nursery

    Rohdea japonica (Sacred Lily) this form is a bit more narrow than other seed grown forms we have offered. A great perennial with dark green shiny leaves growing to around 1 to 2 feet tall. The flowers are not really noticeable but it holds red berries through out the winter. A very tough plant with a great tropical appeal. Foliage: Dark green strap like foliage Flowers: Small but does have bright red berries Height: 1 to maybe 2 feet

    By: Brian's Botanicals

    Dark evergreen straplike leaves and an ability to grow in dry, closet-like shade make this a very useful plant sometimes. First saw this at Callaway gardens under a burford holly in the woods. It doesn't get much darker or drier than that! Red fruit on a stalk in the crown is cheerful in winter.

    By: Specialty Ornamentals

    Gardening facts about Rohdea japonica plant

    How to Grow Rohdea japonica

    • Sun Exposure

      • bright shade - shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • green

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Fruit

      • red

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

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