? Seed Treatment
- Soak seeds in room temperature water for 24 hours.
- Cold Stratification: Place seeds in a damp paper towel inside a sealed plastic bag and refrigerate at 4°C (39°F) for 8–12 weeks.
- Check periodically. If seedlings emerge during stratification, remove them from the bag and plant immediately.
When to Sow
Indoors: After cold stratification, sow in late winter or early spring.
Outdoors: Sow in fall; seeds will overwinter naturally and germinate in spring.
Germination Time:
3 to 12 months after stratification
Optimum Temperature
During germination after stratification: 15–20°C (59–68°F) in a bright location.
How to Sow
Sow seeds just below the surface (~2–3 mm deep).
Provide 12–14 hours of indirect or low light daily
Use a rich, well-draining soil mix.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Post-Germination Care
Light: Partial shade to full shade — avoid direct hot sun.
Watering: Regular watering during active growth; reduce watering when plants go dormant in summer.
Transplant carefully once seedlings are well-established, as roots can be delicate.
Growing Tips
- Known for its striking arrow-shaped variegated leaves, late spring blooms, and vivid red-orange seed clusters in fall.
- Foliage may go dormant in hot summers; this is normal.
- Excellent for woodland gardens or shaded borders.
- Mulch to maintain cool, moist soil.
- Foliage emerges in fall or winter, flowers in spring, and goes dormant in summer.
- Deer- and rabbit-resistant; tolerates shade and naturalizes easily.
- Hardy in USDA Zones 5–9.
- Wear gloves when handling seeds or tubers — all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.