Arum italicum
Italian arum
- Height × spread
- 0.2m – 0.3m × 0.15m – 0.3m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Found growing in the southern parts of the UK as well as the south of Europe and Italy. These are appealing plants that are dormant in summer. In the autumn the columnar fruiting stem with orange-red fruits is a feature, followed by the large arrow-shaped leaves that are glossy and dark green, with or without variable mahogany markings. In spring the fruiting spathe with a white oval spathe appears, before the plant becomes dormant. There are a number of ornamental forms with distinctive foliage.
- Flower colour
- Green, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Orange, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Dome
- Height
- 0.2m – 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.15m – 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Wild flower meadow, Shady court, Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Gravel garden, Cottage garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 0C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Bird attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Planting
Divide after flowering
Clumps that have become congested can be lifted, divided and replanted with some space between the bulbs, corms, or rhizomes so that they can further develop, producing new foliage clumps in the future.
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
0C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 0 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.
Found in
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