The flowers give way to a single greenish fruit that turns golden when ripe.
Under the right conditions, mayapple can spread and become aggressive.
This plant’s roots and leaves are also toxic to both humansand animals.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Fun Fact
The flower is called mayapple because the bloom’s appearance is reminiscent of apple blossoms.
Established colonies will tolerate some drought, but start new plants in moist loam enriched with compost.
This means that it will mainly be useful in the spring and early summer.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Don’t plant mayapple in a spot where you need continuous color.
Warning
As a shade-tolerant plant, mayapple is a natural forwoodland gardens.
If you live in eastern North America, consider mayapple for your native-plant garden.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Light
At the southern end of mayapple’s range, a location withfull shadeis best.
In the North, however, they can take some sun, especially if they receive sufficient moisture.
Soil
Mayapple plants prefer a well-drained soil that tends toward theacidic sideof the pH scale.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
It will do well in either moist or dry soil, provided it is humusy and well-drained.
A good amount oforganic material in the soilgenerally helps provide necessary moisture retention.
In poor soils, amending with compost will help the plants.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Mayapple can be propagated through several methods.
Here’s how:
How to Grow Mayapple From Seed
Mayapple can begrown from seed.
Soak and soften the seeds in water for 24 hours prior to planting.
If you are planting in late fall, plant seeds right below the surface of the soil.
Once planted, ensure the soil stays moist until germination.
Note the plant will develop slowly once seedlings are established.
Common Pests & Diseases
Mayapple can develop a specific disease in the spring called mayapple rust.
Leaves may pucker and drop but the plant tolerates it well.
The disease is usually not fatal to the plant and does not require treatment.
Only mayapple plants with two leaves will produce the large, white flower.
To encourage blooming, ensure your plant has moist, acidic soil.
Avoid mowing or competition from other plants.
Do not deadhead as the flowers give way to fruit.
Mayapple grows approximately 4 to 6 inches per year.
This plant lives for around 10 years.
European and American mandrake are steeped in rich folkloric history.
Podophyllum peltatum.North Carolina State Extension.
The Powerful Solanaceae: Mandrake.USDA U.S. Forest Service.
