wetland wildflower
Jack-in-the-Pulpits
Arisaema triphyllum
Also known as Jack In The Pulpit, Indian Jack In The Pulpit, Jack-in-the-pulpit
1 of 3Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Nova Scotia to Manitoba and eastern North Dakota, south to Florida, eastern Texas and eastern Kansas
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for sun through shade and consistently moist to wet soil. Its green flowers peak in May. At up to 2 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Jack-in-the-Pulpits's green flowers bloom April to June, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws beetles and bees.
Jack-in-the-Pulpits blooms green, purple & brownFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Beetles Tomentous Soldier Beetle also Acmaeodera tubulus, Pubescent Tumbling Flower Beetle
- Bees Federal Cuckoo Carder Bee also Agapostemon texanus, Cresson's Cuckoo Sweat Bee
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (38): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (6): MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Nova Scotia to Manitoba and eastern North Dakota, south to Florida, eastern Texas and eastern KansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 3–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Humus-rich, moist soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 4.8–7.0The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- HighHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- MediumHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~2 ft (0.5 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 8+ in (20+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Green, Purple, BrownThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–SepThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, container, corm, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.1 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- LowHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- SlowWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.