Description
This cobra lily is widely distributed from the Himalayas and southwestern China south to Myanmar and India. It produces a green inflorescence in summer that has a long, upright green or purple tip like an antenna. The glossy, palmate leaves can get quite large. The foliage dies in fall and the plant hibernates as a bulbous rhizome and can survive even severe freezes. It is considered hardy down to at least USDA Zone 5 and must have a spot in filtered sun to look its best.
Germination Guide
🌍 Himalaya region: Nepal, Northeast India, Bhutan, Pakistan; South-Central China (Sichuan, Yunnan), Myanmar
Moderate
Arisaema tortuosum is a distinctive perennial aroid with twisted, whip-like spathe appendages and mottled stems. Native to Himalayan forests and alpine meadows, it reaches 0.6-2m height.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
28 – 180 days
Temperature
Min 15°C
Ideal 18°C
Max 21°C
🌡️ Temperature alternation recommended
— Light temperature fluctuation between day and night helpful; optimal range 65-75°F (18-24°C)
Substrate moisture
💧💧 High
Sowing depth
Lightly covered
Seed Pre-treatment
-
💧
Soaking — 48 hours
Soak seeds for 24-48 hours with regular water changes to remove fleshy coating
-
❄️
Cold stratification — 84 days at 4°C
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📋
Additional notes
Conflicting data: some sources recommend cold stratification (3-4 months at 4°C), others indicate no stratification needed. Soaking appears essential to remove seed coating.
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
Soil-based compost or moist compost with fine grit/sand/vermiculite
Recommended container
Individual pots when large enough; initially trays or seed pans
Growing Tips
Best sown fresh as soon as ripe in cold frame; stored seed viable for minimum 1 year. Seed soaking critical to remove germination inhibitors. Avoid artificial heat which disrupts germination. Patient waiting essential - germination erratic and may take 1-6 months. Grow seedlings in light shade for 2+ years until corms exceed 20mm diameter before outplanting.
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