Mandragora officinarum
Mandrake, Devil's apples, Satan's apples
Also known as Atropa mandragora
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The mandrake is a picturesque, deeply poisonous plant of some charm. It grows slowly and makes a clump of large leaves that are deep green with a corrugated surface and a slight sheen. The flowers are closely clustered at the heart of a mature plant and are coloured a bluish or yellowish shade. There are small egg-like fruits afterwards. It is closely related to deadly nightshade and henbane. The large fleshy-looking taproot is said to resemble a man and it is supposed to shriek when pulled from the ground. The roots are used for medicinal purposes and are also toxic if eaten. Not to be used by the unqualified!
- Flower colour
- Blue, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- Yes, plant with caution; Humans: CAUTION toxic if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.