Arum palaestinum aka Solomon's Lily

Taxonomy

Arum palaestinum is a species of flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the family Araceae and the genus Arum. It is native to the Levant and other parts of the Mediterranean Basin, and has been naturalized in North America, North Africa, Europe, Western Asia, and Australia. Arum palaestinum is perhaps best known for its long history in the Middle East both as food and for its use in traditional Middle Eastern medicine for strengthening bones and treating cancer, parasites, infections, and other maladies. More recent work has demonstrated anticarcinogenic action both in vitro and in vivo; evidence suggests that an extract fortified with isovanillin, linolenic acid, and β-sitosterol—constituents of a crude water extract of Arum palaestinum—induces the pro-apoptotic protein caspase-6. Safety data regarding toxicity is encouraging so far, with acute dosing animal studies and in vito studies indicating toxicity mainly limited to cancer cells. Arum palaestinum is also a super rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive, with direct light no more than one foot from the window, and well-draining soil; if repotted each time it doubles in size, fertilizers are not necessary. However, it is important to note that Arum palaestinum is not safe to consume and should be kept out of reach of children, cats, and dogs.

Common names

Solomon's Lily, Black Calla

How to care for Solomon's Lily

Difficulty

Solomon's Lily requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Solomon's Lily should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Solomon's Lily loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Solomon's Lily prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Solomon's Lily to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Solomon's Lily is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The Solomon's Lily should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

The Solomon's Lily is a clumping species, with new growth arising from the soil surrounding the parent plant.


More info:
Wikipedia