Cobra lily is an herbaceous perennial that grows from a corm. It is native to Asia and a member of the arum family (Araceae), not a true lily. The species epithet is Latin for “gaping” and refers to the opening of the spathe. Cobra lily grows in partial shade and prefers moist, loamy or humus-rich soils. Tubers should be planted about 4 inches deep. Plant out full-sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter. The species is dioecious (flowers are unisexual; only one sex is to be found on any one plant), but depending on the age and condition of the plant, can also change sex from year to year. Some plants are even monoecious (male and female flowers on the same spike). Both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. The flowers are pollinated by flies. The cobra lily is a good choice for an Asian garden or woodland garden. For a native plant or pollinator garden, the native green dragon ( Arisaema dracontium ) or Jack-in-the-pulpit ( Arisaema triphyllum ) is a better choice. Use this plant as a ground cover or accent in the border. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Arisaema .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.