Dragon Arum Plant Care
Dracunculus vulgaris Schott
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dracunculus vulgaris is a species of aroid flowering plant in the genus Dracunculus and the arum family Araceae. Common names include the common dracunculus, dragon lily, dragon arum, black arum and vampire lily.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full shade
50–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Dragon Arum?
Water Dragon Arum every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. 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 Dragon Arum?
Dragon Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris) belongs to the Araceae family within the Dracunculus genus. Dragon Arum is also known as Viper's Grass, Dragonwort, Starch-root.
Dragon Arum displays a clump-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Dragon Arum produces unique maroon or purple spathe with a spadix.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Dragon Arum?
Dracunculus vulgaris requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Dragon Arum Need?
Dragon Arum thrives in partial shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Dragon Arum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dragon Arum Prefer?
Dracunculus vulgaris grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Dragon Arum prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dragon Arum?
Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Dragon Arum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Dragon Arum?
Feed Dragon Arum every 6 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 6 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 Dragon Arum?
Repot every 2-3 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 Dragon Arum?
Dragon Arum can be propagated through division of tubers, offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to canary islands dragon arum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Dragon Arum 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 Dragon Arum?
Dragon 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 Dragon Arum Need?
Dragon Arum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Dragon Arum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Dragon 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 Dracunculus genus — compare its care with other Dracunculus species on PlantoScan.
Dracunculus is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Dragon Arum 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: Dracunculus vulgaris Schott, family Araceae (first published in Melet. Bot. : 17 (1832)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Dragon 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Dragon Arum Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species