Photo: Sebastian DoakCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Voodoo Lily Plant Care
Sauromatum diversifolium (Wall. ex Schott) Cusimano & Hett.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its unique umbrella-shaped inflorescence and maroon-colored spathe, this plant hails from the forests of Southeast Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to Sauromatum diversifolium for its striking appearance and rare presence in cultivation, making it a prized addition to any exotic plant collection.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Voodoo Lily?
Water Voodoo Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°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 Voodoo Lily?
Voodoo Lily (Sauromatum diversifolium) belongs to the Araceae family within the Sauromatum genus. Voodoo Lily is native to Southeast Asia, India. Voodoo Lily is also known as Devil's Tongue.
Voodoo Lily displays a solitary, tuberous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Voodoo Lily produces unpleasant-smelling, maroon or purple spathe with a long spadix.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Voodoo Lily?
Sauromatum diversifolium 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 Voodoo Lily Need?
Voodoo Lily thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Voodoo Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Voodoo Lily Prefer?
Sauromatum diversifolium grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Voodoo Lily prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Voodoo Lily?
Well-draining, rich potting mix with added perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Voodoo Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Voodoo Lily?
Feed Voodoo Lily 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 Voodoo Lily?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Voodoo Lily?
Voodoo Lily can be propagated through offsets, division of tubers. Similar propagation techniques also apply to monarch arum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Voodoo Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic if ingested, can cause skin irritation
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 Voodoo Lily?
Voodoo Lily 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 Voodoo Lily Need?
Voodoo Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Voodoo Lily is native to Southeast Asia, India.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Voodoo Lily 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 Sauromatum genus — compare its care with other Sauromatum species on PlantoScan.
Sauromatum is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Voodoo Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sauromatum diversifolium (Wall. ex Schott) Cusimano & Hett., family Araceae (first published in Taxon 59: 445 (2010)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Voodoo Lily 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.
- Photo: Sebastian Doak, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 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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