Nepal Voodoo Lily Plant Care

Amorphophallus napalensis (Wall.) Bogner & Mayo

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Amorphophallus napalensis is a species in the family Araceae known from the Himalayan regions of Bhutan, Nepal and India. They belong to the Candarum section in which the spathe is convoluted below, oblong to oblong-ovate or ovate-lanceolate and the spadix shorter than the spathe with styles 2-4 times the length of the ovary.

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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 Nepal Voodoo Lily?

Plant Nepal 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.

What Is the Nepal Voodoo Lily?

Nepal Voodoo Lily (Amorphophallus napalensis) belongs to the Araceae family within the Amorphophallus genus.

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

Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Nepal Voodoo Lily?

Water a young or newly planted Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily Need?

Nepal Voodoo Lily thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily Prefer?

Amorphophallus napalensis tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Nepal Voodoo Lily?

Feed Nepal 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 Nepal 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.

Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily?

Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily?

Prune Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily in Winter?

Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily?

Nepal 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 Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily?

Nepal 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 Nepal Voodoo Lily Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Nepal 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.

Nepal 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 napalensis (Wall.) Bogner & Mayo, family Araceae (first published in Aroideana 8: 19 (1985 publ. 1986)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Nepal 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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