Himalayan Mayapple Plant Care
Podophyllum hexandrum Royle
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sinopodophyllum is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Berberidaceae, described as a genus in 1979. It includes only one known species, Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, and western China.
Every 4–7 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Himalayan Mayapple?
Water Himalayan Mayapple every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it part shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 60–80% 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.
Where Is the Himalayan Mayapple Native To?
What Is the Himalayan Mayapple?
Himalayan Mayapple (Podophyllum hexandrum) belongs to the Berberidaceae family within the Podophyllum genus. Himalayan Mayapple is native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, and western China. Himalayan Mayapple is also known as Indian Podophyllum, Himalayan Podophyllum.
Himalayan Mayapple displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Himalayan Mayapple produces showy, cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Himalayan Mayapple?
Podophyllum hexandrum requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Himalayan Mayapple Need?
Himalayan Mayapple thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Himalayan Mayapple in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Part shade to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Himalayan Mayapple Prefer?
Podophyllum hexandrum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Himalayan Mayapple prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Himalayan Mayapple?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Himalayan Mayapple to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Himalayan Mayapple?
Feed Himalayan Mayapple 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 Himalayan Mayapple?
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 Himalayan Mayapple?
Himalayan Mayapple can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mayapple plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Himalayan Mayapple Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets
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 Himalayan Mayapple?
Himalayan Mayapple is susceptible to slugs, snails, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Himalayan Mayapple Need?
Himalayan Mayapple grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Himalayan Mayapple is native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, and western China. In cooler regions, grow Himalayan Mayapple as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Himalayan Mayapple 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 Podophyllum genus — compare its care with other Podophyllum species on PlantoScan.
Podophyllum is part of the Berberidaceae plant family — browse all Berberidaceae genera and species.
Himalayan Mayapple 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: Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, family Berberidaceae (first published in Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. : 64 (1834)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Himalayan Mayapple 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
Himalayan Mayapple 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