Photo: zebedeugalinhaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Italian arum Plant Care
Arum italicum Mill.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Arum italicum is known for its distinctive arrow-shaped leaves with white veining, giving it a striking appearance. Originating from the Mediterranean region, it thrives in shady woodland areas and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its unique foliage that brightens up dark corners of gardens.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to low light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Italian arum?
Water Italian arum every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Italian arum Native To?
What Is the Italian arum?
Italian arum (Arum italicum) belongs to the Araceae family within the Arum genus. Italian arum is native to the British Isles and much of the Mediterranean region, the Caucasus, Canary Islands, Madeira and northern Africa. Italian arum is also known as Italian lords-and-ladies.
Italian arum displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Italian arum produces unique hooded spathes in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Italian arum?
Arum italicum requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Italian arum Need?
Italian arum thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Italian arum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Italian arum Prefer?
Arum italicum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Italian arum prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Italian arum?
Rich, well-draining peat-based soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Italian arum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Italian arum?
Feed Italian arum every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Italian arum?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Italian arum?
Italian arum can be propagated through division of rhizomes, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to eastern arum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Italian arum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Italian arum?
Italian arum is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. 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 Italian arum Need?
Italian arum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Italian arum is native to the British Isles and much of the Mediterranean region, the Caucasus, Canary Islands, Madeira and northern Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Italian arum 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 Arum genus — compare its care with other Arum species on PlantoScan.
Arum is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Italian arum copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Arum Species
Other Arum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Arum italicum Mill., family Araceae (first published in Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 2 (1768)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Italian arum 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.
- Photo: zebedeugalinha, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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