Photo: en:User:Saranphat.chaCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Lance Atractylodes Plant Care
Atractylodes lancea DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Atractylodes lancea, also known as Atractylodes rhizome, is a perennial plant with distinctive palmately lobed leaves that are green in color. It is native to East Asia and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine.
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full shade
65–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Lance Atractylodes?
Water Lance Atractylodes every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Lance Atractylodes Native To?
What Is the Lance Atractylodes?
Lance Atractylodes (Atractylodes lancea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Atractylodes genus. Lance Atractylodes is native to Vietnam, most of China, Korea, the southern Russian Far East, and Japan. Lance Atractylodes is also known as Acarna chinensis, Atractylis chinensis, Atractylis japonica.
Lance Atractylodes displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Lance Atractylodes produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lance Atractylodes?
Atractylodes lancea 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 Lance Atractylodes Need?
Lance Atractylodes thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Lance Atractylodes in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lance Atractylodes Prefer?
Atractylodes lancea grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Lance Atractylodes prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lance Atractylodes?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Lance Atractylodes to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lance Atractylodes?
Feed Lance Atractylodes every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Lance Atractylodes?
Repot every 1-2 years in early 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 Lance Atractylodes?
Lance Atractylodes can be propagated through division of rhizomes, root cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to large-headed atractylodes plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lance Atractylodes Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lance Atractylodes, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Lance Atractylodes?
Lance Atractylodes is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Lance Atractylodes Need?
Lance Atractylodes grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Lance Atractylodes is native to Vietnam, most of China, Korea, the southern Russian Far East, and Japan.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Lance Atractylodes 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 Atractylodes genus — compare its care with other Atractylodes species on PlantoScan.
Atractylodes is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Lance Atractylodes copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Atractylodes lancea DC., family Asteraceae (first published in Prodr. 7: 48 (1838)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lance Atractylodes, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: en:User:Saranphat.cha, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — 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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