Mouse Plant (Arisarum proboscideum) - Woodland Curiosity (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free Bulbs/Rhizomes)

Arisarum proboscideum earns its common name from the flowers: a little hood (the “mouse”) with a long tail-like spadix that snakes out from under the foliage in April-May. A member of the arum family, it thrives in light to full shade with moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Leaves often emerge in late winter, the flowers follow in spring, and the plant can go summer-dormant in hot/dry spells - returning strongly with autumn/winter moisture.

For wildlife, this is a niche-value plant: arums are typically pollinated by tiny flies/gnats, so it won’t rival a knapweed for nectar, but its leafy, undisturbed patches create micro-habitat for ground invertebrates and it’s brilliant for adding texture and seasonal interest to shady schemes.

It will naturalise modestly by rhizomes to make small colonies. In richer soils it can roam; it’s still easy to control - just lift and remove unwanted offsets in autumn, or contain it with edging/containers if you want perfectly polite clumps.

Planting & care:

• Position: Light/part to full shade; woodland edge, under shrubs, north/east beds, or shady troughs.

• Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained (add leaf-mould/composted bark).

• Depth/spacing: Plant rhizomes/bulblets 5-8 cm deep, 15-20 cm apart in groups for best effect.

• Aftercare: Keep evenly moist in growth; allow foliage to die back naturally. Lift and thin offsets if spread is more than you’d like.

Folklore & heritage:
A favourite Victorian curiosity, Mouse Plant was grown in shade gardens and children’s borders for its “little mice with tails.” The species name proboscideum means “long-nosed” - a wink to that wonderful tail.

Status & provenance (the honest bit):
Mediterranean in origin; long naturalised in British gardens and sometimes found outside cultivation. Our stock is nursery-grown, peat-free and pesticide-free - never wild-dug.

Joel says…
“I love Mouse Plant for shady paths and under shrubs - people spot the ‘mice’ and  (usually!) can’t help smiling. It’s low, neat and easy: give it leaf-mould and light shade, and let it make a small colony. As always, peat-free and ready to thrive.”

SAFETY note (IMPORTANT):
As with many arums, contains calcium oxalates - irritant/poisonous if eaten and sap may irritate skin or mouth. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin; keep away from pets/livestock and don’t use vase water on edible crops.