Voodoo lily (Sauromatum venosum)
Explore the unique Sauromatum venosum, the exotic Voodoo lily, known for its striking, foul-smelling flower and bold foliage.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Voodoo lily (Sauromatum venosum) offers an undeniably unique and textural focal point for the discerning gardener. Distinguishing itself early in the spring, this herbaceous perennial emerges with a fascinating, carrion-scented flower designed to attract specialized fly pollinators. While its initial bloom might be pungent, the subsequent large, bold foliage provides excellent coverage throughout the warmer seasons in appropriate climates.
As one of the hardier aroids, Sauromatum venosum establishes itself readily from its underground corm in suitable soils. It thrives best when provided with dappled sunlight and consistently moist, yet well-draining conditions. This plant is valued for its distinct architectural presence, making it a superb choice for adding drama to shaded garden corners or when grown temporarily in containers.
Gardeners should appreciate the low incidence of pests and diseases associated with Sauromatum venosum, concentrating their care efforts mainly on drainage management, especially over winter. Whether grown for its temporary floral oddity or its large, architecturally lobed leaves, the Voodoo lily brings an exotic flair to temperate shade gardens.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Araceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Africa, Asia
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-2.5 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Maroon and lime green
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting the corm of Sauromatum venosum is best done in the spring after the danger of hard frost has passed. Select a location that receives dappled sun to part shade, mimicking its natural woodland setting. Crucially, ensure the soil offers consistent moisture but excellent drainage, as cool, wet winter soils are the primary cause of corm rot. This plant reproduces reliably via offshoots, allowing it to colonize areas nicely over time.
Routine care for the Voodoo lily involves maintaining medium water availability; allow the soil to approach dryness slightly between vigorous waterings during active growth. Fertilization is generally not required if the soil is organically rich, but a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring can encourage robust growth. Once the flower fades, the large, single leaf emerges, requiring minimal intervention beyond ensuring it does not dry out completely.
For gardeners in colder portions of Zones 6-10, winter preparation is key for the survival of the corms. If planted directly in the ground, planting deeper than usual may offer protection, or the corms can be gently lifted after the foliage dies back and stored indoors. Treat them similarly to dahlias: cure them briefly, then keep them dry, cool, and dark until spring planting time.
Landscape Uses
The unusual aesthetic of Sauromatum venosum makes it an excellent choice for creating unexpected focal points in the garden. It performs well as an accent plant in the woodland garden, where dappled light softens its bold structure. It also functions beautifully as an exotic specimen within a mixed herbaceous border, provided its companions appreciate similar moisture and light conditions.
Due to the brief, potent odor emitted by its spring inflorescence, strategic placement is paramount for this Voodoo lily. Avoid siting Sauromatum venosum near high-traffic areas such as entryways, patios, or outdoor dining spaces where the smell might prove objectionable to people. Use it instead in slightly more secluded areas where its unique flower can emerge unnoticed or where its pollinator attraction is desired.
For those with limited space or seeking reliable overwintering, container culture is an excellent alternative. Growing the Voodoo lily in pots allows gardeners to easily move the corms indoors for dry winter storage, guaranteeing next year’s bloom even in marginal hardiness zones.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
This unusual plant offers a unique accent and texture to the shade garden, emerging early in spring with a narrow, striking inflorescence. The flower consists of an inner spadix surrounded by a maroon and lime green speckled spathe, which emits a strong, carrion-like odor to attract its specific fly pollinators. After the bloom and potential pollination, a single, deeply lobed, bright green leaf unfurls, accompanied by a dark purple spotted petiole.
Tolerances
- Poorly drained soil can lead to overall decline
Potential Problems
The primary culture concern for Sauromatum venosum relates directly to moisture management during dormancy. The most significant potential problem is corm rot, which is triggered by poorly drained soil, especially when combined with cool winter temperatures. In contrast, this species generally avoids serious issues regarding insect pests or fungal diseases during its active growing phase. Good drainage is the best preventative measure against decline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Voodoo lily suitable for?
The Sauromatum venosum is typically suited for USDA Zones 6 through 10, requiring protective overwintering in colder regions.
How large does Voodoo lily grow?
This plant usually reaches a mature height between 2 and 2.5 feet tall, with a similar spread of 2 to 3 feet.
When does Sauromatum venosum bloom?
Sauromatum venosum blooms relatively early, typically from April to May, producing maroon and lime green flowers.
What sun exposure does Voodoo lily need?
This perennial prefers a location offering part shade, thriving best in dappled sunlight throughout the growing season.
Conclusion
The striking appearance, reliable growth habit, and minimal pest issues make the Voodoo lily (Sauromatum venosum) a worthwhile addition for gardeners seeking exotic texture in shaded areas. While its bloom is memorable for its fragrance, its foliage provides excellent late-season interest, providing structural value until frost. Before planting, confirm your soil conditions offer the necessary winter drainage, or plan for corm removal in colder zones to ensure success with your Sauromatum venosum.
Companion Planting
Since Sauromatum venosum requires consistently moist, well-drained soil and part shade, pair it with other woodland edge perennials that share these cultural preferences. Excellent companions include Hostas, especially those with colorful or variegated foliage that contrast well with the deep green of the Sauromatum venosum leaf. Ferns also create a lush, ground-covering tapestry that complements the vertical spike of the initial bloom and the later leaf structure.
Aim for companions that don’t aggressively compete for root space near the corms, as the Voodoo lily benefits from undisturbed soil during its active period. Shade-loving Heuchera (Coral Bells) provide fine texture and year-round color that offsets an otherwise seasonally focused plant like the Voodoo lily.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation begins when activity starts, often involving lifting the corms from storage if you overwintered them indoors, or planting them several inches deep once frost danger passes. Ensure consistent moisture as the flower spike emerges and subsequently when the large leaf expands. During the summer months, maintain even watering, being careful not to let containers dry out completely, though soil should never remain soggy.
In the fall, monitor the foliage of your Sauromatum venosum as temperatures drop. Once the leaf begins to yellow or senescence sets in, cease heavy watering. If you are digging the corms for winter storage, wait until the foliage has completely died back naturally before carefully excavating them to allow the corm to fully mature its reserves.
Propagation Tips
The primary method for increasing your stock of Sauromatum venosum is through the natural production of offsets or “babies” from the main corm. These small offshoots develop attached to the parent corm underground, particularly when conditions are ideal. Wait until later in the season or during the spring cleanup process when dividing perennials to gently separate these smaller corms from the mother plant.
Once separated, these offsets can be potted individually or replanted directly into the garden. Be aware that smaller offsets may take one or two seasons to reach a size large enough to produce the characteristic flowering spike; often, only corms larger than a golf ball will flower in the first year after division.
Design Ideas for Tropical Texture
Utilize the massive leaf structure of the Voodoo lily to create a simulated tropical feel, even in shaded, temperate borders. Plant Sauromatum venosum where its large structure can act as a temporary backdrop for smaller annuals or perennials that prefer shade, such as Impatiens or Tiarella. Its bold habit contrasts appealingly with plants boasting fine, delicate foliage.
For a particularly dramatic effect indoors or on a protected patio, plant the Sauromatum venosum in a dark-colored, traditional terra cotta or a black glazed pot. This presentation emphasizes its architectural form and unusual coloration, allowing it to stand alone as a specimen, especially when placed near a seating area where its unique bloom can be observed (from a distance, ideally).
