Smilax herbacea aka Carrion Flower

Caring for Carrion Flower is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Carrion Flower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Carrion Flower is very sensitive to dry soil. To ensure your Jacob's Ladder is thriving and blooming, choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil should still allow for adequate drainage and contain lots of organic matter. Coco coir or sphagnum moss are great soil additives that will help to retain moisture and provide your Jacob's Ladder with the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Make sure to mix these soil additives into the potting soil before planting and water the soil thoroughly. By providing your Carrion Flower with a well-draining, moisture-retaining soil, you can help to maximize its growth and keep it blooming.

To ensure optimal growth, the Carrion Flower prefers bright indirect 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.

During the cold period, it is common for Carrion Flower to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Carrion Flower is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

The Carrion Flower should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Carrion Flower’s native range is Eastern N. America - southwards from Quebec.