Guide to growing Mayapple - Podophyllum
Members of the Podophyllum genus are hardy perennials.
They have flat lobed leaves and bloom in the springtime carrying flowers below their leaves.
The flowers are usually white and cup shaped.
Some common names for Podophyllum include Mayapple, Mandrake and Himalayan Mayapple.
How to grow Mayapple
Mayapples can eithe be grown from Rhizomes or from seeds. If growing from Rhizomes bury them about 3cm deep. The seeds of Mayapple should be fresh and sown into flats, under glass, in a shaded part of the garden in august or September. The seeds can take from one to six months to germinate. Once you see seedlings let them grow for a year; transplant to individual pots and allow the Mayapple to grow for a further year, then transplant into the garden in spring or autumn.
If you purchase Mayapple from a garden center then plant them outdoors in the spring or autumn about 30 to 40cm apart. Mayapple (Podophyllum)likes to grow in a moist soil that is rich and acidic (pH 4 to 7). They are able to thrive in both sunny and lightly shaded areas of the garden.
Caring for Mayapple and other Podophyllum plants
The ground that mayapple and other Podophyllum species is growing in should be mulched in spring (wood chips) and autumn (leaf mild) to protect the plant. As Mayapples like a moist soil they should be watered frequently. If you require more Podophyllum plants then they can be propagated by division once the plant has finished flowering.