Is it poisonous to pets?

Yes, it is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.

Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers deep to partial shade.

Plant guide

Jack-in-the-pulpit.

Arisaema triphyllum

Pronounced ar-ih-SEE-muh try-FILL-um

Also known as Indian-turnip, Jack In The Pulpit, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Indian Jack-in-the-pulpit

This charming woodland perennial is famous for its unique hooded flower structure that resembles a preacher in a pulpit. It thrives in shaded, moist environments and adds a touch of wild beauty to any garden. You will love watching the green and purple striped spathe emerge in spring.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: medium
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 60 cm tall
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist, mimicking its natural forest floor habitat. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as it does not tolerate drought well. Ensure the soil stays rich in organic matter to support its seasonal growth cycle.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently damp but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring as growth begins.
Pruning: Remove dead foliage once it turns brown in late autumn.
Repotting: Repot only when the corms become too crowded in the container.
Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining woodland soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -30 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth during the spring season.
Soil drying out much faster than usual.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic due to high concentrations of calcium oxalate crystals.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs due to calcium oxalate crystals.
Children: Keep this plant away from children because the berries and leaves are highly irritating if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: None.
Edibility: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning and swelling if ingested raw.

How to identify it

Three leaflets per leaf stalk
Hooded spathe with striped pattern
Club like spadix inside spathe
Clusters of bright red berries

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: green, purple, brown, 5 to 15cm
Fruit: red, Late summer to autumn

Common problems

Rust — Fungal spots appear on leaves during humid weather.
Slugs — These pests chew holes in the foliage during spring.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The foliage will die back completely in autumn, so mark the spot to avoid disturbing the dormant corm.
In containers: It grows well in deep pots, provided you use a rich, moisture retentive potting mix.

Seed Sowing

Collect red berries in late summer.
Clean the pulp from the seeds.
Sow immediately in moist soil.
Keep in a cold frame over winter.

Division

Wait until the plant is dormant.
Carefully dig up the corm.
Separate the small offsets.
Replant at the same depth.

Group with other moisture loving woodland plants to create a lush, naturalistic forest floor aesthetic.

Grows well with

Trillium — They share similar light and moisture needs in a woodland setting.
Wild Ginger — It makes a lovely, low growing ground cover beneath the taller Jack in the pulpit.

Keep away from

Sun loving perennials — They will scorch in the shade required by this plant.

Similar species

Green Dragon — It has a similar growth habit but features a much longer, tail like spadix.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Arisaema
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Eastern North America.
Conservation: It is generally common, but avoid harvesting from wild populations to protect local ecosystems.

It thrives in moist, shaded forest floors where it relies on specific beetles for pollination.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: woodland garden, shade border, native plant display

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 0/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it poisonous to pets?: Yes, it is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.
Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers deep to partial shade.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Arisaema comes from Greek words for arum and blood, while triphyllum refers to its three leaflets.

Good to know

The spadix is hidden inside a hooded spathe.
It is also known as Indian turnip.
The berries turn a bright, shiny red in late summer.
It can switch from male to female as it grows larger.

Is your jack-in-the-pulpit looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.