italian arum indoor plant Arum italicum Marmoratum

italian arum indoor plant Arum italicum MarmoratumIn late summer, the tropical looking foliage of Arum italicum emerges from dormancy and remains attractive all winter. Each glossy green, arrowhead shaped leaf features dramatic silver patterning, usually following the veins. In late spring, 12" white peace lily like flowers appear, followed by an attractive stalk of red berries. At this point, Arum italicum 'Marmoratum' goes to sleep for the summer, emerging again in late August. Italian arum will

In late summer, the tropical-looking foliage of Arum italicum emerges from dormancy and remains attractive all winter. Each glossy green, arrowhead-shaped leaf features dramatic silver patterning, usually following the veins. In late spring, 12" white peace lily-like flowers appear, followed by an attractive stalk of red berries. At this point, Arum italicum 'Marmoratum' goes to sleep for the summer, emerging again in late August. Italian arum will naturalize slowly in woodland areas unless a horticultural circumcision is performed after flowering. I wouldn't garden without this amazing aroid!

Maintenance:

Arum italicum is a Mediterranean plant, which means it grows during a reverse season to most perennials from the Northern Hemisphere. It has evolved to grow when it receives moisture in its native environment, so it emerges in fall and goes dormant in spring.

The only maintenance needed for Italian arum is to remove the seed heads in spring once they turn red. Arum italicum is a superb garden plant, but can become a garden thug by seeding around in unwanted areas of the garden if the seed are allowed to fall. If you are not prone to good and prompt garden maintenance, you may want to select other species, non of which seed around the garden.

Growing Conditions:

Italian arum thrives in a wide range of growing conditions from moist woodlands to dry hillsides. It does not thrive in deep shade, so err on the side of a couple of hours of morning sun. Because it is summer dormant, it needs no supplemental moisture during summer droughts.

Natural Impact:

Although Italian arum appears on a number of invasive species lists, it does not fit any reasonable criteria of an invasive plant. Quite a people who write about it seem unable to distinguish between a garden thug and an invasive plant, which must displace native plants in a natural habitat, causing economic harm. That said, if you live anywhere near a natural area, we do not recommend you grow this.