mouse plant
© Judy Newton
© www.bulbmeister.com
Arisarum proboscideum is an herbaceous woodland perennial that flowers in April, amusing adults as well as children with its whimsical flowers. Maroon and white flowers with tail-like tips hide under the leaves, resembling the back ends of mice. The flowers are long lasting in indoor arrangements. Mouse plant’s glossy spade-shaped leaves make a low groundcover until going dormant in midsummer. The early foliage makes a nice foil for spring-flowering woodland bulbs.
Plant Type: perennial
Growth Habit: spreading
Foliage Type: deciduous
Plant Height (10-year): 0 ft. 6 in. (0.15 meters)
Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 meters)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 to 9
Flower Color: purple, white
Flowering Time: spring
Sun/Light Exposure: light to deep shade
Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established
Great Plant Combinations:
Great Color Contrasts: blue, silver, white
Great Color Partners: Green, brown
Mouse plant will grow best in a rich well-drained soil. Choose a location with light to open shade or morning sun but avoid the hot afternoon sun. This small plant will often go dormant in early summer to survive our dry weather, but it will return next year undamaged
Text and photos ©2020 Great Plant Picks/Elisabeth Carey Miller Garden except where otherwise noted
Funded by the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation, The Seattle Times, and Individual Donors
Administered by the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden