Variableleaf Heartleaf

Asarum heterophyllum

Native to:
United States

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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