Devil's Slipper Plant Care
Dactylanthus taylorii Hook.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dactylanthus taylorii, commonly known in English as wood rose and in Māori as te pua o te rēinga, is a fully parasitic flowering plant, the only one endemic to New Zealand. The host tree responds to the presence of Dactylanthus by forming a burl-like structure that resembles a fluted wooden rose.
Prefers low to medium indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Devil's Slipper?
Devil's Slipper grows best in prefers low to medium indirect light.
Where Is the Devil's Slipper Native To?
What Is the Devil's Slipper?
Devil's Slipper (Dactylanthus taylorii) belongs to the Balanophoraceae family within the Dactylanthus genus. Devil's Slipper is native to New Zealand. Devil's Slipper is also known as Dactylanthus.
Devil's Slipper displays an underground root parasite growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Devil's Slipper produces small, inconspicuous flowers due to underground growth.
What Light Does the Devil's Slipper Need?
Devil's Slipper thrives in prefers low to medium indirect light. Avoid placing Devil's Slipper in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Prefers low to medium indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Devil's Slipper?
Well-draining soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Devil's Slipper to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Devil's Slipper?
Rarely requires repotting due to unique growth habit. 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 Devil's Slipper?
Devil's Slipper can be propagated through seeds, rhizome division.
Is the Devil's Slipper Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Devil's Slipper, 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 Devil's Slipper?
Devil's Slipper is susceptible to not typically susceptible to common plant pests. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Devil's Slipper 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 Dactylanthus genus — compare its care with other Dactylanthus species on PlantoScan.
Dactylanthus is part of the Balanophoraceae plant family — browse all Balanophoraceae genera and species.
Devil's Slipper 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: Dactylanthus taylorii Hook.f., family Balanophoraceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 22: 425 (1859)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Devil's Slipper, 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.
- 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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