PlantPeers
Back to Catalog
No image available
Asparagaceae FAMILY

Polygonatum falcatum

Polygonatum falcatum

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, some members of this genus are believed to have poisonous fruits and seeds.

Cultivation Details

HabitPerennial
Growth—

Polygonatum falcatum is a moderately cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[1]. Prefers a fertile humus rich moisture retentive well-drained soil in cool shade or semi-shade[1]. Plants are intolerant of heat and drought but tolerate most other conditions[1]. Thrives in dry shade as long as the soil is rich in humus, the plant is also fairly drought tolerant[2]. Requires a mulch protection for the roots in areas where winter temperatures go below -10°c[1]. The rhizomes are shortly-creeping, the plant forming clumps[3]. This species is often grown mistakenly as Polygonatum pumilum[1]. Polygonatum humile is often mistakenly grown as this species[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[4]. Young shoots are very attractive to slugs[PFAF]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[1].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a shady part of a cold greenhouse[1]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Germination can be slow, they may not come true to type[1] and it takes a few years for them to reach a good size. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring or early autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Polygonatum+falcatum>

Pollinators

Bees, Self

References

  1. [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  2. [2]The Dry Garden. — Chatto. B. · Dent · 1982 · ISBN 0460045512 ↩︎A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.
  3. [3]Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2. — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books · 1991 · ISBN 0-330-30936-9 ↩︎Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
  4. [4]Perennial Garden Plants — Thomas. G. S. · J. M. Dent & Sons, London. · 1990 · ISBN 0 460 86048 8 ↩︎A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
  5. [5]Flora of Japan. (English translation) — Ohwi. G. · Smithsonian Institution · 1965 · ISBN - ↩︎The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
  6. [6]Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World. — Tanaka. T. & Nakao S. · Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo · 1976 · ISBN - ↩︎The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
  7. [7]Atlas of Medicinal Plants. — Kariyone. T. · Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka · 1973 ↩︎A good Japanese herbal.
  8. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎