Chinese wild ginger is an evergreen or semi-evergreen, low-growing herbaceous perennial in the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae). It is native to moist forest openings, grasslands and slopes of south-central China. The specific epithet is Latin for “splendid.” It prefers well-drained neutral to acidic soil that is consistently moist in part shade to full shade. Plant with the crown level to the soil; avoid planting too deep. The plant will grow up to 8 inches tall and fill a 1.5-foot space by producing offsets from an underground rhizome. To avoid winter burn, plant it in a site protected from wind and sun. Propagate by division. The striking, large, arrow-shaped leaves are dark green with silvery variegation. The unusual brown to purple, bell-shaped flowers grow at ground level. Use as a ground cover in a shady or woodland garden, a cottage garden, an Asian garden, or a winter garden. Be cautious where you plant it; it spreads and is difficult to eradicate. It is perhaps best confined to a container. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Thrips, slugs, necrotic spot virus, leaf spots, rhizome rot, leaf gall are sometimes a problem. More information on Asarum .
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 5 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Large, thick, narrow, dark green, elongated heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves, with elegant silver mottling on top.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender; Variegated
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Bell; Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Early spring, interesting, 2-inch, tubular flowers appear under the leaves at soil level.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Thick fleshy capsule.
Stem detail
Stems are underground
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
S. Central China
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Shade Garden; Winter Garden