Ligularia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 26th Nov 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Ligularia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Ligularia is known for its large, bold leaves and tall spikes of yellow or orange daisy-like flowers. This plant is perfect for adding drama and a touch of the exotic to shade gardens.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. It's particularly well-suited for waterside plantings or damp, shaded areas.
- General Care: Requires regular watering to maintain moist soil, especially in hot, dry periods. Mulching helps retain soil moisture.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Leopard Plant is a great choice for beginners with shaded garden spaces. Its distinct appearance and moisture-loving nature make it a rewarding and easy-care option for adding lushness to shaded areas.
Leopard Plant, Golden Ray, Summer Ragwort, & Golden Groundsel: Cultivation & Garden Use
Members of Ligularia are hardy perennials that can reach from 30 cm to 1.8 m (1 to 6 feet) in height.
They have tall stalks that grow out from large leaves.
The Ligularia genus plants can produce two distinct types of flowers: either daisy like or as long racemes.
Ligularia Halifax by InAweofGod'sCreation.
These flowers are usually yellow in both cases, and bloom in the summer.
Ligularia by Wallygrom.
Some of the common names for Ligularia include Goldenray, Summer Ragwort, and Leopard plant.
Commonly Grown Ligularia Species Photographs and Plant Identification
Ligularia dentata
Ligularia dentata (Summer Ragwort / Leopardplant), photograph by Koichi Oda; CC.
Ligularia fischeri
Ligularia fischeri (Fischer's Ragwort / Elegant Goldenray / Fischer's Leopard Plant / Gomchwi), picture by Dr. Alexey Yakovlev; CC.
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Ligularia Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Leopard Plant, Golden Groundsel, Golden Ray, Summer Ragwort.Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 24 to 72 inches (60 to 180 cm).
Native: Europe. Asia. Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 8.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: Yellow, orange. Stalks. Racemes. Daisy-like ray and disc florets.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Leathery. Large. Kidney-shaped. Deeply cut. Green, purple.
Sow Outside: Surface. Start of spring - before the last frost, or early in autumn. Spacing 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: two weeks to two months. Temperature: 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors in the spring.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade in warmer areas. Moist soil, ordinary soil. Mix in organic matter when planting. Regular watering during dry periods. Spring mulch. Occasional feed in spring and summer.
Tidy dead inflorescences. Cut back to the ground in autumn. Divide every three years to maintain vigour. Propagate: by dividing in the spring.
Miscellaneous: Some species of Ligularia are used in traditional Chinese medicine as they have antibacterial properties.
How to Grow Goldenray, Leopard Plant, and other Ligularia Plant Species
When growing Goldenray and other Ligularia outdoors from seeds, then they should be sown on the soil surface. This can be done in autumn or before the last frost of spring.
They prefer to grow in sunny areas of the garden, but are able to tolerate shady conditions. The soil that Ligularia grows in should be moist.
If first growing Ligularia seedlings indoors, then they should be prepared about one and a half months before due to be put out in the garden, in the spring.
They should take from two to six weeks to germinate at 12 to 18 degrees (54 to 64°F).
Caring for Ligularia Plants
Ligularia are fairly easy to look after. They requirE regular watering to a maintain moist soil. A fertilizer should be applied in spring and summer.
After flowering has finished, cut back the stalks.
At the end of the growing season in autumn, cut Ligularia plants to ground level.
To help maintain vigorous growth, it is best to divide Ligularia plants every three years in the springtime. This method also enables the propagation of more plants.
Common Questions
How many members does the Ligularia genus have?
The Ligularia genus contains around 120 species. These are herbaceous perennials that are known for their large, ornamental leaves and daisy-like flowers.
Do members of Ligularia make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Ligularia plants are excellent for gardens. Their big, dramatic foliage and showy flowers add interest and contrast to garden beds or borders.
Which Ligularia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The species most frequently grown by gardeners are Ligularia dentata (Leopard Plant) and Ligularia przewalskii (Przewalski's Ligularia).
Are members of the Ligularia plant genus fragrant?
Ligularia plants are not typically known for their fragrance, but their foliage and flowers are quite striking.
What is the perfect location to grow Ligularia?
Ligularia prefers partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil. It's an excellent choice for a shade or water garden.
Is Ligularia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
At present, Ligularia species are not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Ligularia plants from my garden?
To remove Ligularia, simply dig up the entire plant, ensuring all roots are removed to prevent it from regrowing.
Summary
The Ligularia genus, part of the Asteraceae family, includes perennial plants native to Asia and Europe. Recognized for their large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of yellow or orange flowers, these plants are often used in borders and damp garden spots.
Ligularia prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Regular watering is necessary to prevent wilting. Propagation is typically achieved through seeds or division, generally in the spring or fall.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Ligularia plants. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Fennel, Ipomoea plant, Begonia plant, and Synthyris plants.
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