Arisaemas are members of the aroid family, a group of exotic flowering shade plants that includes philodendron and calla lilies. There are some Arisaema species native to the US but the majority hail from Asia. Arisaema are known by the common names of jack-in-the-pulpit or cobra lily, depending on the style of the inflorescence.
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Arisaema species are woodland garden plants that range from short plants like Arisaema sikokianum that top out around 1' tall to giants like Arisaema tortuosum, which can reach 3-4' tall. Arisaema arise from a fall/winter dormant underground tuber or rhizome. These shade garden plants are primarily spring-flowering perennials, whose inflorescence emerges on a stalk known as a pseudostem. Those which have a pitcher-shaped (spathe) inflorescence with an upright spadix (sex organ) are called jack-in-the-pulpit. Those with a spathe that resembles a cobra head are known as cobra lilies.
Arisaema foliage occurs in several types; radial (on Chinese jack-in-the-pulpit, A. consanguineum), trifoliate (our native A. triphyllum), and horseshoe-like (on the Asian A. heterophyllum). Some species of jack-in-the-pulpit for sale (A. sikokianum and A. urashima) have a silver pattern overlaying the green leaves. Due to their attractive and unusual variegation the silver-leaved jack-in-the-pulpit selections sell out fast, so order early!
Unlike the native jack-in-the-pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum, which prefers moist soils, most of the spring-flowering Asian species require excellent soil drainage. Our native plant species are all easy to grow, as are most of the Asian species like Arisaema fargesii, A. heterophyllum, A. tortuosum, A. urashima, A. kiushianum, A. saxatile, A. amurense, A. consanguineum, and A. serratum.
Plant Delights is excited to offer a large selection of these fascinating, woodland garden, deer-resistant, shade perennials for sale. Our jack-in-the-pulpit and cobra lily offerings are all blooming-sized tubers/rhizomes...not tiny seedlings.
Plant Delights Nursery has one of the best collections of arisaema for sale in the United States. We rotate our selections periodically, so if you do not see the one you want, check back in a few months. When you are ready to buy arisaema for your garden or home, check out our list of arisaema for sale below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
Superb! We are happy to offer one of the easiest-to-grow and most exciting of the cobra lilies. Emerging in very late spring (May or June) are 15" tall stalks of pink pitchers dramatically striped with translucent, white vertical veins (candidissimum means "dazzling white"). Beside the flower emerge two giant three-lobed leaves, which can reach 2' in width. Arisaema candidissimum offsets freely in a well-drained site. In the wild, it is found growing on sunny, rocky banks. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
We are proud to once again offer the very rare, white-flowered form of the Chinese Arisaema candidissimum, which was thought to be extinct until 1998. Just like the pink form, the stalks emerge in June with large tripartite leaves that form a tropical looking clump. Alongside the foliage emerge 15" tall flowering stalks topped with a single white hood, striped green and white toward the base. Perhaps this accounts for the popularity of this plant in parts of northern Alabama and eastern Texas. This easy-to-grow cobra lily makes a truly stunning sight after it becomes established. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Arisaema consanguineum is without a doubt one of the easiest-to-grow and garden-worthy of the cobra lilies. In June the 30" tall stalks arise, topped with an unfurling radial leaf with 12 leaflets. The leaves often have dramatic drip-tips...a nice added bonus. Alongside the leaf stalk is a large pitcher-like flower (usually green or purple-and-white striped) with a large hood that ends in a long dangling thread. The thread now comes standard in all models to enable you to pull the hood closed during sex...a new Federal law if you live within 2 miles of a school or church. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
We are truly thrilled to be able to introduce the latest hybrid from Ellen Hornig of Seneca Hill Nursery, that she describes as her best arisaema introduction ever. Ellen describes it as "a real drama queen" ..."sort of Arisaema 'Perfect Wave' on steroids"... "bigger, more vigorous, better substance, and a strong rippled/crisped edge". The 30" tall thick stalk is topped with a glaucous green radial leaf with heavily rippled edges, and adorned with a wide central stripe. Arisaema consanguineum does not grow vigorously in deep shade, so a very open canopy or a few hours of morning sun is preferable. I'm not sure what else I add, other than to christen this the Lady Gaga of Jack-in-the-pulpits.
Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Arisaema dracontium 'Gene's Giant' is a giant strain of our native green dragon from Indiana plantsman Gene Bush. For Gene, these plants reach the extraordinary height of 5-6' tall. In our dry shade production area, we have yet to top 3' tall. Arisaema dracontium most closely resembles the Asian Arisaema heterophyllum, except the green Jack-in-the-pulpit inflorescence (green hood and upright, thin yellow tongue) produced in mid-May is held just above the horseshoe-like foliage of 7-15 leaflets. Green dragons go dormant in midsummer, so don't panic...average to slightly moist soils are best. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This Chinese cobra lily, discovered by French plant explorer Pere Farges in the early 1900s, has turned out to be one of the easiest to grow and most spectacular arisaema species in our collection. In late spring, the giant glossy green trifoliate leaves (similar to Arisaema candidissimum) emerge from the nicely offsetting tubers. Alongside the leaves emerge the flower stalks, each topped with a large wine-red pitcher with dramatic white striping. The tip of the pitcher ends in a narrow, congested, alien-like mass of red thread. From inside the flower emerges the spadix, resembling a tiny red lizard peeking out of the pitcher...absolutely stunning! Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This Himalayan species from regions around Darjeeling and Sikkim, India, makes a stunning specimen plant to 4'+ tall. The textured, tripartite green leaf, often edged in purple, is similar to A. speciosum with which it grows. The early spring flower, which resembles an Arisaema ringens with a lime-green helmet, emerges with the foliage and sits atop a short stem near the ground. We find that good drainage and protection from summer rains are best for success in our climate. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This is one of my favorite cobra lilies. This easy-to-grow species emerges on a thick petiole (stalk) that reaches 3' in late spring. Atop the giant petiole is an unusual green and purple tinged pitcher (spathe) with a 12" long tongue (spadix) that curves out of the flower and stands erect and ready for some action! The horseshoe-shaped leaf, held on the stalk just below the flower, boasts over a dozen leaflets...spectacular! Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This unique form of Arisaema heterophyllum hails from China's magical Mt. Omei, where it resides under giant cryptomerias around the Baguo Temple. The 3' tall slender stalk is topped with a large horseshoe-shaped leaf composed of up to 23 leaflets. Emerging from near the base is a separate 3' tall stalk, topped at leaf level with a green helmeted pitcher with a long, erect whip-like green tongue. The Mt. Omei Form has one sixth the normal number of chromosomes (in case this affects your purchasing decisions) and is usually a female, compared with the more common bisexuality found in this species. If you're into long green tongues or other such deviation, we've got the plant for you. Arisaema heterophyllum is easy to grow but prefers well-drained soils. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Arisaema kiushianum has proven to be one of the easiest of the cobra lilies to grow. It also multiplies well, so you can divide the clump after a few seasons and share with your friends. The cutest member of the genus boasts a solitary leaf with 7-13 leaflets that sits atop a 15" tall green petiole (stalk). The stunning 8" tall flower emerges from the ground beside the petiole in late April (NC). The narrow tip of the flower pitcher (spathe) folds over on itself, and the inside of the pitcher is dark purple-and-white striped with a dramatic white T-mark engraved in the back. The long, whip-like tongue (spadix) extends 6" out from the pitcher in hopes of luring insects...for sexual purposes only! Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
The reptile-patterned petiole of the Chinese Arisaema lobatum is a jazzed mix of green, olive-green, and cream or pink. The 20" tall flower stalk rises above the tripartite leaves in April (in NC) in muted shades of olive-green with pinkish veining, and its spadix is tipped in dull salmon...no dissing intended to the fish of the same name. Arisaema lobatum is a small but quite lovely Jack-in-the-pulpit that is quite unique from others in the genus. We have found that Arisaema lobatum thrives for us only when planted where the soils stay quite dry in the dormant period.
This rare and previously unknown species from woodland streamsides in western Yunnan at 6,000' elevation was published as a new species in 2007, named after Japanese arisaema taxonomist, Jin Murata. The thick green stems emerge in early May from enormous fist-shaped tubers. Like spokes on a wheel, each of the 7-13 deeply veined leaflets is held atop a 30" tall stalk. The flower emerges as the plant unfurls...a yellow pitcher with purple stripes at the base topped with an extended, bright yellow, threadlike tip. Inside the pitcher, you find the purple "preacher" tucked in neatly out of the weather. This is an easy-to-grow, slowly-offsetting species...made available thanks to the magic of tissue culture. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
It's hard to imagine anything more spectacular than this easy-to-grow tropical-looking cobra lily. Sitting between the two giant, glossy green, trifoliate leaves on a short petiole (stalk) in early spring is the spectacular cobra-like flower. The thick purple and white striped spathe resembles a perfectly formed cobra head as the tip of the flower curls downward, revealing the glossy purple interior and two "cobra eyes." Looking at the flower from the front is enough to give you mongoose bumps. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This amazing variety of the Japanese Arisaema serratum comes from the region south of Kyushu. Unlike other varieties of Arisaema serratum, var. mayebarae flowers much earlier and has a longer spathe blade. The very dark purple-black spathe, which opens before the foliage unfurls, is quite stunning...the same color your little sister's face used to turn when you held the plastic bag over her head too long. These easy-to-grow, 3' tall arisaema makes a stately stunning statement in the garden. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Arisaema sikokianum is considered the most stunningly beautiful member of the genus Arisaema...make that the entire plant kingdom! From an underground tuber in early spring (early April in NC), the dark pitcher and two five-lobed leaves emerge on a 1' tall fleshy petiole (stalk). As the pitcher opens, it reveals a swollen, pure white protruding sex organ (spadix) which provides a dramatic contrast to the purple of the pitcher (spathe). Since Arisaema sikokianum doesn't offset or engage in sexual self satisfaction, you'll need more than one to start a family. After flowering, the foliage remains attractive until it goes dormant in late summer. Arisaema sikokianum prefers a well-drained dry site in the garden. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
We have again selected special forms of Arisaema sikokianum with dramatic silver patterns in the center of their leaves. In addition to the dramatic purple-black pitcher with contrasting colors inside, you now have the additional interest of attractive leaf patterns. Arisaema sikokianum does not offset, so to have meaningful sex, you'll need at least two, although a ménage à trois is much more fun. Good drainage is essential for best results. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Here is one of the true conversation pieces of the aroid world. The thick, 4' tall, fleshy petiole (stalk) emerges in early June, adorned by two tropical-looking, palmate green leaves near the top. As the leaves unfurl, the pitcher that tops the stem opens to reveal a green Jack-in-the-pulpit flower, but with a whip-like tongue that extends from the mouth of the flower upwards to 12" or more...it don't get much weirder than this...a flower arranger's dream and an anal-retentive gardener's nightmare! Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
The widespread Arisaema triphyllum is one of our favorite US native wildflowers. This hardy Jack-in-the-pulpit emerges in very early spring with a solitary stalk of one to two leaves, each with three leaflets. On the top of the stalk is its namesake pitcher. As the common name indicates, the hooded pitcher-like spathe has an appendage (spadix) that resembles a preacher in the pulpit...I bet this one was named during one heck of a hangover! If pollination of the flower occurs, you will have a 12" tall stalk of bright red berries as the plant goes summer dormant. Moist soils are best, but Arisaema has amazing short-term drought tolerance. Arisaema triphyllum offsets, so you will soon have a nice colony. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
I fell to my knees when I first saw Arisaema 'Black Jack' at Woodlanders Nursery in South Carolina and visitors to our garden have continued this tradition. Discovered by native plant guru Bob McCartney on one of his many jaunts through Florida, this selection of our native Jack-in-the-pulpit has shiny black foliage with a few green veins. For us, Arisaema 'Black Jack' emerges slightly later (mid-May) than most Arisaema triphyllum. The 1' tall clumps are adorned in late spring with "pulpits" that also have a stunning black spathe. We have also found Arisaema 'Black Jack' spreads slightly by underground stolons. To be able to finally share this with the public is truly a dream come true. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This amazing selection of our native Jack-in-the-pulpit comes from plantsman Paul James of Virginia. This vigorous, fast-multiplying selection emerges in spring with trifoliate leaves adorned with silver-white veins. There are at least three other silver-veined forms, but none we have seen rivals the vigor of this selection. The 22" tall clumps are adorned in early spring with green "Jack" flowers. Arisaema 'Starburst' prefers moist woodland conditions and will go dormant by late summer. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
.jpg "Epimedium wushanense (Wushan Fairy Wings)")
.jpg "Arisaema galeatum (Helmet Cobra Lily)")
