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Photo by Karl Gercens III

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Buy Rohdea japonica

Also Known As

Nippon Lily
Sacred Lily

Plant type

perennial

size

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

planting zones

6a-11

4" | $17

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Fewer than 3 at Secret Garden Growers

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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

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Rohdea japonica is a beautiful and useful evergreen, subtropical-looking perennial from Asia that loves part shade to shade with average moisture but will also tolerate deep shade and dry soils. The thick, dark green leaves are one foot long by two inches wide held in an upright vase-shaped clump. Insignificant yellowish flowers eventually produce late season red berries for winter interest. Use at the base of trees or under Rhodos.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

(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

Garden photo gallery of Rohdea japonica

Photo of Rohdea japonica by Karl Gercens III

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By: Karl Gercens III

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Photo of Rohdea japonica flower by Panayoti Kelaidis

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By: Panayoti Kelaidis

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Karl Gercens III

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