The leopard plant Ligularia is a peculiar evergreen perennial flowering plant from the Asteraceae family that is native to regions in East and Central Asia.
Known for its vibrant, tall flowers that grow in spikey form and its variegated leaves from which the flowers grow, the exotic plant is a shady plant that tends to enjoy lighting conditions.
This deciduous plant is used as an ornamental flowering piece and is not considered a toxic plant with no visible toxic effects when being ingested.
| Botanical Name | Ligularia |
| Common Names | Leopard plant, Golden ray, The rocket plant |
| Origin | East and Central Asia |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Plant Type | Evergreen deciduous perennial flowering plant |
| Full Size | From 3 feet to 8 feet tall and from 2 feet to 4 feet wide |
| Sun Exposure | Can survive from full sun to partial shade to full shade |
| Soil Type | Rich, well-draining soil |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to both people and pets |
Types Of Ligularia plants
The Ligularia genus is home to a lot of different cultivars or varieties, a few notable examples are;
- Ligularia The Rocket
- Ligularia Pandora
- Ligularia Desdemona
- Ligularia dragon wings
- Ligularia Othello
- Ligularia Britt-Marie Crawford
Ligularia Plant Care
Ligularia plants are regarded as average maintenance plants as by meeting their basic light, water, temperature and soil requirements, you ensure proper, healthy growth of the potted plant.
Ligularia Light Requirement
Ligularias are versatile when it comes to their pick of sunlight intensity as they can survive most sunlight conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade to full shade.
However, it is best to grow the stunning plant in full shade as excess access to direct sunlight could lead the plant’s leaves to wilt.
You can also alternate the level of sunlight the plant receives by choosing to keep the Ligularia plant in a room with an eastwards facing window where it can receive the early morning sun rays.
During midday or noon, you should provide adequate cover from the sun rays by using a light curtain or better still relocate the plant to an area of full shade.
Ligularia Water Requirement
When it comes to watering the soil, the goal should be soil that is kept moist at all times. You can achieve this by watering the plant’s soil at least once a week.
Use a moisture meter to measure the moisture level of the soil before watering. Ensure that the soil doesn’t dry as it would affect the plant’s growth.
Try to use dechlorinated water for watering and ensure it is at room temperature as cold water could be stressful to the plant’s roots.
Ligularia Soil Requirement
Ligularias aren’t picky when it comes to the soil type being used, what matters most to the plant is that the soil is well-draining with moisture-retaining ability.
It is recommended that your soil mixture contains one part good potting soil, one path bone meal, or one part peat moss.
Check the soil’s well-draining ability by pouring a little water into the soil, if it forms a muddy puddle then more peat moss would be required.
Soil pH should be kept between neutral and a little acidic. You can do this with a pH value range between 6.5 to 7.0
Ligularia Temperature and Humidity Requirement
Humidity isn’t too important to the proper growth of a Lingularia plant. However, they prefer humidity conditions that are a little high.
Even though they prefer high humidity, keep the temperature level to a level less than 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature levels above 75 degrees Fahrenheit are harmful to the plant.
Ligularia Fertilizer Requirement
Limit fertilizer use to one once a month, and this should be during its growing season, after which, the plant would not require frequent fertilizing.
The fertilizer type to be used should be a liquid fertilizer that has been diluted to 50% of its initial strength.
Propagating Ligularias
Ligularias can be propagated through the division method. Do be careful not to harm the plant while propagating.
Ligularia Pruning Requirement
The Ligularia plant is a slow grower that requires little pruning. However, prune the plant to get rid of dead leaves and encourage a vibrant look.
Always sterilize every tool to be used in pruning before pruning the plant to avoid infection.
Toxicity
Ligularias are not considered toxic plants but it is recommended that you restrain eating the plant’s leaves as it might lead to tummy upset.
Common Health Problems of the Ligularia
- Brown leaves
- Wilting leaves
- Snails
- Slugs
Frequently Asked Question
The Ligularia could be planted alongside other shade plants including Lungwort and mantle
Ligularias are large perennial plants that can live for years.
Yes, the ligularia is a cold hardy plant that can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although still speculation, the ligularia is considered a deer-resistant plant.
A full-grown ligularia can grow as tall as 8 feet.
