It can spread readily by seed in ideal woodland conditions but is generally manageable.

Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade.

Plant guide

Lords and Ladies.

Arum maculatum

Pronounced AIR-um mack-yoo-LAY-tum

Also known as Adam-and-Eve, Cuckoo Pint, Cuckoo-pint, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Lords-And-Ladies, Lords-and-Ladies [Arum maculatum]

Cuckoo-pint — Photo by Ann Pearson (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This woodland perennial is famous for its unique hooded flowers and bright red berries. It emerges in early spring and often goes dormant by mid summer. You will love how it adds a touch of mystery to shady garden spots.

Another photo of Lords and Ladies — Photo by Mary E. Macaulay, P.Eng. (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial bulb
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant these in rich, moist soil where they can enjoy dappled shade. Keep an eye out for slugs that might snack on the foliage in spring. Since the plant disappears in summer, mark the spot so you do not accidentally dig up the tubers.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged during the active growing season.
Feeding: A light application of organic compost in early spring is plenty to keep them happy.
Pruning: Simply clear away dead foliage once the plant enters dormancy in late summer.
Repotting: Divide the tubers every few years if they become too crowded in their space.
Soil: Moist, humus rich, well draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Temperature: -29 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense irritation upon contact or ingestion.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals.
Children: This plant is highly dangerous to children due to its attractive but toxic bright red berries.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically considered a major airborne allergen.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested, causing severe burning and swelling of the mouth and throat.

How to identify it

Arrow shaped leaves with dark spots
Hooded spathe surrounding a central spadix
Clusters of bright orange red berries
Tubers found beneath the soil surface

Height: 0.2 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, black, deciduous
Flowers: green, purple, 10 to 25cm
Fruit: red, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Leaf SpotCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
Root RotUncommon
Tuber RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: autumn, spring

Plant alongside other spring ephemerals that enjoy rich, moist soil.

Grows well with

Wood Anemone · They share similar woodland habitat requirements.
Bluebell · They create a classic native woodland display.

Similar species

Italian Arum · It is a larger relative with similar foliage habits.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Arum
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Europe and western Asia
Conservation: It is a common and widespread species not currently under conservation concern.

It thrives in the dappled light of deciduous woodlands where it can complete its growth before the tree canopy fully closes.

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 0/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it invasive?: It can spread readily by seed in ideal woodland conditions but is generally manageable.
Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Arum comes from the Greek word for this plant, while maculatum refers to the spotted leaves.

Good to know

The spadix generates heat to help disperse its scent.
The tubers were historically used to make a starch called Portland sago.
It is often called lords and ladies.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.