Friar's Cowl Plant Care

Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare) belongs to the Araceae family within the Arisarum genus. Friar's Cowl is also known as Viper's Bugloss, Jack-in-the-pulpit.

Friar's Cowl displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Friar's Cowl produces unique hooded flowers resembling mouse tails.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

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

Friar's Cowl thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Friar's Cowl in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Arisarum vulgare tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Friar's Cowl prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Friar's Cowl to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Friar's Cowl every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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.

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

Choose a spot with bright indirect to low light and rich, well-draining potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Friar's Cowl is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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

Friar's Cowl can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Friar's Cowl 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 shrub in one year.

Friar's Cowl 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.

Friar's Cowl can be propagated through division of rhizomes, offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dragon arum plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Friar's Cowl is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. 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.

Friar's Cowl grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Friar's Cowl as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.