Can I grow this in my garden?

It is nearly impossible to transplant because it relies on a complex underground fungal relationship.

It does not need sunlight for energy, so it does not produce green chlorophyll.

Plant guide

Ghost plant.

Monotropa uniflora

Pronounced mon-oh-TROH-pah yoo-nih-FLOR-ah

Also known as Ghost Pipe, Ghost Pipes, Ghost Plant, Indian Pipe, Indian-pipe, Indianpipe, Waxplant, convulsion root

Ghost Pipe — Photo by Lee Cain (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This fascinating plant lacks chlorophyll and survives by parasitizing fungi connected to tree roots. It is a rare find in deep, undisturbed forest floors. You won't find it in a nursery because it cannot be grown in a home garden.

Another photo of Ghost plant — Photo by Neal Kelso (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Mycoheterotroph
Light: Deep shade
Indoor light: Low light
Water: Every 0 days
Mature size: 10 inches
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

This plant is impossible to keep in cultivation because it requires a specific symbiotic relationship with underground fungi. Please leave it undisturbed in its natural habitat so it can thrive. If you see one, just enjoy the view and take a photo.

Watering: This plant relies entirely on its natural environment for moisture.
Feeding: Do not fertilize this plant as it will kill the necessary fungal network.
Pruning: Never prune this plant in the wild.
Repotting: This plant cannot be potted or moved.
Soil: Rich forest duff
Soil pH: Acidic
Temperature: -20 to 25°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, but only visible above ground for a few weeks.
Deer and rabbits: High

Safety

People: The plant contains glycosides that can be toxic if consumed in quantity.
Children: Keep children away from this plant as it is not for consumption and grows in delicate woodland areas.
Contact allergens: There is no known contact dermatitis risk associated with this plant.
Airborne allergens: The plant does not produce significant airborne pollen.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach distress if ingested.

How to identify it

Translucent white waxy stems
Single nodding flower head
Lacks green leaves entirely
Scale like leaves on stem

Height: 0.05 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.05 to 0.1m
Leaves: white, translucent, deciduous
Flowers: white, pinkish, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Habitat loss · The plant requires a very specific fungal network to survive.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
Overwintering: The plant survives as an underground root system and fungal connection, requiring no special care.
In containers: This plant cannot be grown in containers because it requires a specific, established forest soil ecosystem.

Leave the forest floor undisturbed to protect the delicate fungal networks this plant requires.

Grows well with

Eastern Hemlock · It often grows in the deep shade provided by these trees.
American Beech · The leaf litter and fungal networks under these trees support its growth.

Similar species

Pinesap · It is a related plant that is usually yellow or reddish rather than white.

Science

Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Monotropa
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Temperate regions of North America, Asia, and northern South America.
Conservation: It is not endangered but is extremely difficult to cultivate outside its native habitat.

It survives by parasitizing the fungi that are already connected to the roots of nearby trees.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, bumblebees
Uses: botanical curiosity, wildflower observation in natural woodland

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 0/9
Soil reaction: 4/9
Light: 1/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in my garden?: It is nearly impossible to transplant because it relies on a complex underground fungal relationship.
Why is it white?: It does not need sunlight for energy, so it does not produce green chlorophyll.

Where the name comes from

The name Monotropa means one turn, referring to the nodding flower, and uniflora means one flowered. The common name ghost pipe comes from its ghostly white, pipe shaped appearance.

Good to know

It lacks chlorophyll entirely.
It is often called ghost pipe because of its pale appearance.
It can grow in total darkness under a thick forest canopy.
The flower nods downward until it is pollinated, then it stands upright.

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.