Giant Voodoo Lily Plant Care

Amorphophallus gigas Teijsm. & Binn.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Amorphophallus gigas is a plant in the arum family Araceae, native to Sumatra. It is also known as Amorphophallus brooksii.

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Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect to partial shade

Temp

65–80°F

Humidity

60–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Giant Voodoo Lily?

Plant Giant Voodoo Lily in bright indirect to partial shade (USDA zones 13b) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Giant Voodoo Lily Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Giant Voodoo Lily?

Giant Voodoo Lily (Amorphophallus gigas) belongs to the Araceae family within the Amorphophallus genus. Giant Voodoo Lily is native to Sumatra.

Giant Voodoo Lily displays a large, solitary leaf growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Giant Voodoo Lily produces unique, foul-smelling inflorescence.

Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Giant Voodoo Lily?

Water a young or newly planted Giant Voodoo Lily every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Giant Voodoo Lily Need?

Giant Voodoo Lily thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Giant Voodoo Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Giant Voodoo Lily Prefer?

Amorphophallus gigas tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Giant Voodoo Lily prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

65–80°F

Humidity

60–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Giant Voodoo Lily?

Well-draining, rich organic soil with added perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Giant Voodoo Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Giant Voodoo Lily?

Feed Giant Voodoo Lily every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Giant Voodoo Lily?

Choose a spot with bright indirect to partial shade and well-draining, rich organic soil with added perlite and peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Giant Voodoo Lily is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Giant Voodoo Lily?

Giant Voodoo Lily can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Giant Voodoo Lily?

Prune Giant Voodoo Lily while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Giant Voodoo Lily in Winter?

Giant Voodoo Lily is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Giant Voodoo Lily?

Giant Voodoo Lily can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to toad lily plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Giant Voodoo Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic to humans and pets if ingested

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Giant Voodoo Lily?

Giant Voodoo Lily is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Giant Voodoo Lily Need?

Giant Voodoo Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Giant Voodoo Lily is native to Sumatra. In cooler regions, grow Giant Voodoo Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Giant Voodoo Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Amorphophallus genus — compare its care with other Amorphophallus species on PlantoScan.

Amorphophallus is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.

Giant Voodoo Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Amorphophallus Species

Other Amorphophallus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Amorphophallus gigas Teijsm. & Binn., family Araceae (first published in Natuurk. Tijdschr. Ned.-Indië 24: 329 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Giant Voodoo Lily is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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