Nippon Lily Rohdea

Sacred lilies are rhizomatous herbaceous evergreen perennial plants in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). They are native to eastern Asia that includes Bhutan, China, India, Japan, and Thailand. In their native environment, they are found in moist woodlands, grassy slopes, and dense forests. The Rohdea were named after the Bremen botanist, Michael Rohde, around 1821. Only one species was included in the genus. Starting in 2000, other species were transferred to the Rohdea genus from the similar genera Campylandra, Gonioscypha, Tilcusta, and Tupistra. In 2024, there were at least 33 Rohdea species.

The plants grow in an elongated rosette with arching leaves. Their appearance and growing conditions are similar to those of aspidistra and hosta. They prefer shade with even moisture in rich soil but will tolerate dry shade, low water, and any soil. Feed them with a slow-release fertilizer initially. Once established, they only require top dressing with compost and are drought tolerant. The leaves will turn yellow with too much sun or extremely dry soil. They are easy to grow, but very slow growing and reach about 1’ tall by 2’ wide. They tolerate humidity, heat and verticillium wilt, and are deer and rabbit resistant. Propagation is by seed or division of the plant.

The translation of the Chinese word for Rohdea is “10,000 years green”. They are often given as a “good fortune” gift at housewarming, birthday, and new business parties. In Japan, they have container-grown Rohdea shows displaying showy foliage that can be variegated, patterned, or twisted. Since they are slow growers, they are expensive and usually not available from mass merchants. In the United States, it is usually the faster-growing ones that are available and have dark green leathery leaves and showy red fall/winter berries.

Sacred lilies can be grown as a specimen plant in a 3-gallon container or in a shade garden. They can be used in mass plantings under a tree or slope, along a walkway, at the front of a border, or in a rock or woodland garden.

Additional Rohdea images at Juniper Level Botanical Gardens

• Rohdea (Sacred Lily)

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: They can be infected by anthracnose fungus. You can cut the infected leaves at the base of the plant to control the spread of the fungus