Members of the Podophyllum genus are hardy perennials.
They have flat lobed leaves and bloom in the springtime carrying flowers below their leaves.
Podophyllum peltatum by enviro runner
The flowers are usually white and cup shaped.
Some common names for Podophyllum include Mayapple, Mandrake, and Himalayan Mayapple.
Mayapples can either be grown from Rhizomes or from seeds. If growing from Rhizomes, bury them about 3 cm )~1 inch) deep.
The seeds should be fresh and sown into flats, under glass, in a shaded part of the garden in august or September.
Seeds can take from one to six months to germinate. Once you see seedlings, let them grow for a year. Then transplant to individual pots, and allow the Mayapple to grow for a further year. Finally, transplant into the garden in spring or autumn.
If you purchase Podophyllum from a garden center, then plant them outdoors in the spring or autumn. Use a spacing of about 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 inches) apart.
Plants prefer to grow in a moist soil that is rich and acidic (pH 4 to 7).
They are able to thrive in both sunny and lightly shaded locations of the garden.
The ground that Podophyllum plants grow in should be mulched in spring (wood chips) and autumn (leaf mild) to protect the plant.
As they like a moist soil, they should be watered frequently.
If you require further plants then they can be propagated by division once the plant has finished flowering.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Podophyllum plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Berberis thunbergii, Zamia pumila, Acantholimon plant, and Nandina domestica plants.