Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Mayapple Plant Care
Podophyllum peltatum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Podophyllum peltatum is a North American herbaceous perennial plant in the family Berberidaceae. Its common names are mayapple, American mandrake, wild mandrake, and ground lemon.
Every 4–7 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Mayapple?
Water 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. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Mayapple Native To?
What Is the Mayapple?
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) belongs to the Berberidaceae family within the Podophyllum genus. Mayapple is native to Eastern North America, United States. Mayapple is also known as American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Ground Lemon.
Mayapple displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Mayapple produces showy, cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mayapple?
Podophyllum peltatum 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 Mayapple Need?
Mayapple thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing 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 Mayapple Prefer?
Podophyllum peltatum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. 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 Mayapple?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Mayapple to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mayapple?
Feed 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 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 Mayapple?
Mayapple can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Mayapple Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
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 Mayapple?
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 Mayapple Need?
Mayapple grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mayapple is native to Eastern North America, United States. In cooler regions, grow Mayapple as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
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.
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 peltatum L., family Berberidaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 505 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Mayapple as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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.
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