Giant leopard plant

Perennial

Farfugium japonicum var. giganteum

Giant leopard plant

Also known as: Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum', Farfugium giganteum

An evergreen perennial with enormous, glossy, kidney-shaped leaves and yellow daisies in autumn and winter.

  • Full shade, Partial shade
  • 0.6–1 m (2–3 ft)
  • 0.6–1 m (2–3 ft)
  • H3 · Zone 9
  • October–December
  • Evergreen

Overview

This giant form of the Japanese leopard plant, often sold as Farfugium giganteum, forms a bold clump of thick, glossy, dark green, round to kidney-shaped leaves that can reach 30-40cm across on long stalks. Tall stems of bright yellow daisy flowers appear late in the year, from autumn into winter, when little else is flowering. It grows best in moist, rich soil in sheltered shade. Hardy to about -5°C (23°F), it needs a mild garden, a deep winter mulch or a pot that can be protected in colder areas.

At a Glance

Sun Full shade, Partial shade
Height 0.6–1 m (2–3 ft)
Spread 0.6–1 m (2–3 ft)
Hardiness H3 · Zone 9
Flowers October–December
Soil Clay, Loam
Moisture Moist well drained
Habit Clump forming
Water Moderate
Maintenance Easy

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature -5°C (23°F)
pH Range 5.5–7.5
Fertility Fertile
Drainage Moderate

Aspect Suitability

  • North-facing
  • East-facing
  • West-facing

Site Tolerance

  • Coastal

Soil Tolerance

  • Clay
  • Loam
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH
  • Alkaline

Foliage

Farfugium japonicum var. giganteum (Giant leopard plant)
Farfugium japonicum var. giganteum (Giant leopard plant)
Persistence Evergreen
Colour Dark green
Leaf shape / texture reniform
  • Architectural foliage

Foliage interest: 12 months of the year

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
  • Flowering Oct Nov Dec
  • Foliage 12 months of the year
  • Propagate Mar Apr

How to propagate

One way to grow more Giant leopard plant: the usual steps for each method.

Division Mar–Apr Easy

You'll need: A garden fork or spade (two forks back to back help with big clumps) and a sharp knife.

  1. Water the plant well the day before.
  2. Dig up the whole clump with a fork, keeping as much root as you can.
  3. Split it into pieces about the size of your fist, each with healthy roots and shoots: pull them apart by hand, or cut tough clumps with a knife or spade.
  4. Throw away any old, woody middle.
  5. Replant the pieces straight away at the same depth, and water them in well.
How long
Settles in within a few weeks.
It's worked when
Fresh new growth within a few weeks.
Then
Water in dry spells for the rest of the season.

Divide clumps in spring, keeping a good piece of root with each set of leaves.

Maintenance Calendar

  • Mar Cut off leaves damaged by winter weather at the base before new ones unfurl
  • May Protect new leaves from slugs, which can riddle them with holes that spoil the plant for the whole year
  • Jul Water in dry spells, as the large leaves flop quickly when the soil dries
  • Nov Mulch thickly around the crown in colder gardens, or move pots against a sheltered wall for winter

Garden Design

Works well in: Japanese / Zen, Modern / Contemporary, Tropical / Exotic, Woodland / Shade

A striking evergreen for a shaded courtyard or a big pot near the house, adding jungle-like leaves and late flowers in a sheltered spot.

Companion planting: Ferns, Hostas, Fatsias, Hardy begonias

Wildlife Value

  • Bees
  • Other pollinators

Safety

  • Toxic to humans
  • Toxic to dogs
  • Toxic to cats
  • Toxic to horses

Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic if eaten; the young stalks are eaten in Japan only after special preparation. Keep away from pets and livestock.