Italian Arum (Arum Italicum) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 31st Jan 2024
- Plant Characteristics: Noted for its arrow-shaped, glossy green leaves with distinctive white veining and a hood-like flower called a spathe, which surrounds a spike-like spadix. It produces orange-red berries in summer.
- Growing & Care: Prefers well-drained soil in partial shade. It's a low-maintenance plant that's tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including dry shaded areas. Water moderately and be cautious of overwatering.
- Tips for New Gardeners: A good choice for novice gardeners due to its ease of care and adaptability. However, be aware that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation, so handle with care and keep away from children and pets.
Arum Italicum, or Italian Arum, is an herbaceous perennial from the family Araceae. This makes it closely related to plants such as Anthurium, Caladium, and Zantedechia aethiopica.
Native to southern and western Europe, it is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9. This plant is also known as Italian lords-and-ladies.
Please note that this plant has now been declared invasive in many US states, and should not be grown in a garden in these areas. See EDDmaps for details on where it has been spotted. See the OSU Pest and Weed site, for details on how to remove Italian Arum from your garden by physical removal or herbicidal methods (Glyphosate or Metsulfuron).
This plant is not considered a major invasive issue in the UK, where it is often grown for ground coverage, but be aware that it will eventually overtake borders and other areas of the garden if you do not keep an eye on it - it is best to control them through smothering with a layer of opaque mulch, digging up rhizomes, and removing any berries before they have a chance to ripen.
Arum Italicum hidden behind a trunk photograph by Anne Arnould.
It is a stem-less woodland species with tuberous roots. It grows around 1-2 feet (30 to 60 cm) tall and has a similar spread.
Resembling Jack-in-the-Pulpit, it is a low-maintenance ornamental plant.
Each bloom consists a finger-like spike covered with small, creamy white flowers that are produced in spring.
It has large leaves that are heart-shaped, 8-12 inches (20 to 30 cm) long, and an attractive glossy grayish-green.
Following blooming, the leaves die back and the plant produces bright red-orange berries in summer.
Arum italicum berries, photograph by Finn Terman Frederiksen; CC.
New foliage appears in the autumn / fall and the leaves will remain evergreen in warmer winter climates, but will die back in colder ones. In all climates, the foliage will be dormant during the summer months.
Arum italicum looks great in shaded beds and borders or under shrubs. Many gardeners use it in woodland gardens and like to plant it alongside Hosta plants.
Italian arum leaves are evergreen and attractive, image by UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden; CC.
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Italian Arum
Be aware that Italian Arum's deep roots and underground bulbs make it difficult to eradicate, so plan ahead when deciding where to plant. It also spreads easily by its berries.
This gorgeous perennial with its attractive foliage and showy berries needs medium moisture in consistently moist, humus soil.
Ideally locate in areas with in part to full shade. It should be planted in a protected area if grown in Zone 5.
Clumps and tubers can be divided for propagation once Arum italicum has finished flowering. Or by seed sown in the autumn / fall.
The berries should not be ingested, as they are toxic.
Arum italicum plant, photograph by Bernard DUPONT; CC.
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Arum italicum Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Arum italicum.
- Common Name: Italian arum.
- Growing Zone: USA: 5 to 9.
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Perennial.
Plant Details
- Plant Height (Inches): 5 to 11.
- Plant Spread (Inches): 7 to 9.
- Time of Bloom: Mid to Late Spring.
- Flower Details: Orange.
- Leaf Foliage: Variegated.
- Fruit:
- Growth Form: Upright / erect.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: shade to partial shade partial sun.
- Rate of Growth: Grows slowly.
- Suitable Soil Types: Loamy, Neutral, Well drained.
- Soil Moisture: Moist.
Caring Conditions
- Care:
- Level of Maintenance: Medium.
- Propagation: Division of clumps of tubers should take place after flowering. Alternatively, Seeds sown in autumn having removed the fleshy pulp.
- How to Prune: Not usually required.
- Pests: Usually pest free.
- Diseases: Usually pest free.
Further Information
- Can Attract:
- Tolerant of: Heavy Shade, Wet Soil.
- Best Garden Use: Border, Container, Rock garden, Woodland garden.
- Family: Araceae.
- Closely Related Species: Aroids.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Arum Italicum. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Aglaonema modestum and Caladium Plants.
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