Variableleaf Heartleaf
Asarum heterophyllum
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © plantastrophe (iNaturalist #152425385)






Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Genus:
- Asarum
- Species:
- Asarum heterophyllum
- USDA Symbol:
- HEHE12
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- brown, maroon
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded woodland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and slow even with proper treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI