SEED ORDERS OVER $100 SHIP FREE!
Arisaema triphyllum

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

$3.00 - $15.00

Packet
$3.00
1/8 oz.
$10.00
1/4 oz.
$15.00

Bare Root Plants
$10.00

Jack-in-the-Pulpit is an excellent woodland garden plant. It thrives under a variety of conditions, but grows best in rich soil, shady, seasonally wet locations.  The "Jack" is the spongy cylindrical structure, inside a leaf-like structure that is rolled into a deep cup with an overhanging roof, the "pulpit". The plant is said to have a burning, peppery taste so herbivores will not eat it but the berries are a food source for birds.  These berries form mid-summer and are smooth, shiny green, 1 cm wide clustered on the thickened spadix, turning a bright red color before the plants go dormant early fall. Fall outdoor sowing with fresh seed is preferred where high germination rates can be expected the following spring.

*Seed of this species is kept under refrigeration (33-38 F) in our warehouse. The days in transit to you in colder or warmer conditions won’t harm the seed, but it should be put back in refrigeration until you are ready to plant or apply pre-sowing treatment.

Live Plant Shipping Table

Spring Fall Age/Size
Dormant Bare Roots
April/May October 2-3 years

Arisaema triphyllum - Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Map Key

Present in state
Present but introduced in county
Present and native in county; not rare
Not present in state
Present and native in county; rare
Species extirpated (historic)
State or county listed as noxious
Present in state; exotic

This map shows the native and introduced (adventive) range of this species. Given appropriate habitat and climate, native plants can be grown outside their range.

5 Questions asked on Arisaema triphyllum

Will jack in the pulpit grow under black walnut trees?
Yes! Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and many other tough woodland natives will grow under Black Walnut, including Wild Geranium, May Apple, Wild Ginger, and Trout Lily. For a complete list of Black-Walnut-tolerant natives, visit this category

More information for those interested. Black Walnut trees are alleopathic, meaning that they produce a toxic chemical called juglone. The toxin is present in fruit, leaves and branches and can be excreted from the root system into the soil. Juglone is potent enough to inhibit or kill many plant species surrounding the Walnut tree but many natives (for full sun or full shade) are tolerant or resistant.
Upon receiving my Jack-in-the-Pulpit seeds this fall I immediately refrigerated them. They’ve been in the fridge now for over two months and upon planting them they were a tan color rather than the vibrant red. Are the seeds able to germinate despite the delay in starting their stratification period.
No worries! You’ve stored them perfectly. The seeds are actually that tan color and it’s the fruit that is bright red. When we clean the seed, the flesh of the fruit is removed.

The seeds are still viable. If you plant them outside now, germination can be expected in spring of 2019.
What are some plants that would make good companions to jacks?
Hi Dan. Here in SE MN we see abundant Jack-in-the-Pulpit in the woods growing naturally along side Virginia Waterleaf, Dutchman's Breeches, Solomon's Plume, Bloodroot, Wild Strawberry, Toothwort, Blue Cohosh, Bellwort and woodland Sedges like Carex pensylvanica. Since Jack is quite versatile in its soil-moisture needs, it can thrive with almost any well-loved woodland native; don't be afraid to plant it with Virginia Bluebells, Claytonia, Wild Ginger, Wild Leek, Trillium, native ferns... If you want woodland plants that will remain all year like the Jack does, then exclude the spring ephemerals: Dutchman's Breeches, Bloodroot, Toothwort, Bellwort, Virginia Bluebells, Claytonia, Leek, Trillium.
Will these grow under pine trees in fairly dense shade?
Yes, although we observe Jack-in-the-Pulpit's preference for a richer/moister soil, typical of a woodland, it does do well in medium-dry soils that I assume you have under your pines. Full shade and the acidic nature of soils under pines is not a problem for Jacks. Actually, many natives in our BLACK WALNUT TOLERANT category also would be suited to grow under pines.
I received these seeds a couple of weeks ago and put them straight in the fridge. Can I sow them now or is it better to wait until fall. Thanks
Hi Diana, For this species, it is best if you can plant when the seed is fresh, as soon as you can (Germination Code L). Be sure to have patience with this conservative plant; if sowed this spring, the earliest you can expect to see germination is 2 years from now (Germination Code F).

Seed

Growing your own plants from seed is the most economical way to add natives to your home. Before you get started, one of the most important things to know about the seeds of wild plants is that many have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. In nature, this prevents a population of plants from germinating all at once, before killing frosts, or in times of drought. To propagate native plants, a gardener must break this dormancy before seed will grow.

Each species is different, so be sure to check the GERMINATION CODE listed on the website, in the catalog, or on your seed packet. Then, follow the GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS prior to planting. Some species don't need any pre-treatment to germinate, but some species have dormancy mechanisms that must be broken before the seed will germinate. Some dormancy can be broken in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years.

Seed dormancy can be broken artificially by prolonged refrigeration of damp seed in the process of cold/moist STRATIFICATION. A less complicated approach is to let nature handle the stratifying through a dormant seeding, sowing seeds on the surface of a weed-free site in late fall or winter. Tucked safely beneath the snow, seeds will be conditioned by weathering to make germination possible in subsequent growing seasons.

To learn more, read our BLOG: How to Germinate Native Seeds

Dormant Bare Root Plants

We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Some species go dormant in the summer and we can ship them July/August. We are among the few still employing this production method, which is labor intensive but plant-friendly. They arrive to you dormant, with little to no top-growth (bare-root), packed in peat moss. They should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike greenhouse-grown plants, bare-root plants can be planted during cold weather or anytime the soil is not frozen. A root photo is included with each species to illustrate the optimal depth and orientation. Planting instructions/care are also included with each order.

Download: Installing Your Bare-Root Plants

Potted Plants

3-packs and trays of 32, 38, or 50 plants leave our Midwest greenhouses based on species readiness (being well-rooted for transit) and order date; Spring shipping is typically early May through June, and Fall shipping is mid-August through September. Potted 3-packs and trays of 38 plugs are started from seed in the winter so are typically 3-4 months old when they ship. Trays of 32/50 plugs are usually overwintered so are 1 year old. Plant tray cells are approximately 2” wide x 5” deep in the trays of 38 and 50, and 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep in the 3-packs and trays of 32; ideal for deep-rooted natives. Full-color tags and planting & care instructions are included with each order.

Download: Planting and Care of Potted Plants

*PLEASE NOTE: we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to **MN Sales Tax.

US Shipping & Handling Charges

SEED $100.00 and under: $5.00
Retail SEED orders over $100.00 ship free!

Custom seed mixes or discounted seed sales over $100, add 5% of the total seed cost
(for orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required)

BARE ROOT and POTTED PLANTS $50.00 and under: $9.00
over $50.00: 18% of the total plant cost. (For orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required.)

TOOLS and BOOKS have the shipping fee included in the cost of the product (within the contiguous US).

**We are required to collect state sales tax in certain states. Your state's eligibility and % will be calculated at checkout. MN State Sales Tax of 7.375% is applied for orders picked up at our MN location. Shipping & handling charges are also subject to the sales tax.

Shipping Season

SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within 1-3 business days.

BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Since our plants are field-grown, Nature sets the schedule each year as to when our season will begin and end. We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control.

POTTED PLANTS (Trays of 32/38/50 plugs and 3-packs) typically begin shipping early May and go into June; shipping time is heavily dependent on all the species in your order being well-rooted. If winter-spring greenhouse growing conditions are favorable and all species are well-rooted at once, then we ship by order date (first come, first serve). We are a Midwest greenhouse, and due to the challenges of getting all the species in the Mix & Match and Pre-Designed Garden Kits transit-ready at the same time, we typically can't ship before early May. Earlier shipment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*We are unable to ship PLANTS (bare root or potted) outside the contiguous US or to CALIFORNIA due to regulations.

Delivery

We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants. We send tracking numbers to your email address so please include it when you order.

FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE.

Details

Seeds/Packet
10
Seeds/Ounce
400
Germination Code
F
L
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Partial, Shade
Soil Moisture
Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Height
2 feet
Bloom Time
April, May, June, July
Bloom Color
Green
Advantages
Deer Resistant
Highly recommended for home landscaping
USDA Zones
3-9
Plant Spacing
10-18"
Catalog Code
ARI02F