Monarch of the East (Voodoo Lily) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Monarch of the East burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Once potted and in leaf growth, provide bright indirect light for best foliage and tuber development. The initial flowering stage in a dry tuber tolerates any light level. Avoid prolonged direct summer sun on the large leaf. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering monarch of the east: minimal until potted and in growth; then water when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. The tuber can flower without water. After flowering, pot in moist compost and water regularly during the growing season. Reduce watering as the leaf dies back in autumn and keep the dormant tuber completely dry and cool over winter.

Soil and pot

Monarch of the East grows best in rich, well-draining loam-based mix. A quality loam-based compost mixed with perlite provides the fertility and drainage needed. The tuber stores its own energy through winter and needs a nutrient-rich environment when it re-emerges in spring. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Monarch of the East sits happiest at around 50-70% humidity and 10-28°C (50-82°F). Appreciates moderate humidity during the growing season. Standard indoor humidity is usually adequate; avoid excessively dry heated rooms, which can cause the large decorative leaf to brown at the edges. If you keep the room above 10 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed monarch of the east sparingly. Once the leaf is fully unfurled, feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength from late spring to early autumn. This builds up the tuber reserves for the next season's bloom. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on monarch of the east in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Tuber rot in storage — Store dormant tubers in dry, cool (5-10°C), frost-free conditions; any moisture causes rot.
• Foul odour on flowering — Normal and intentional — the carrion scent attracts fly pollinators; move outdoors during bloom if the smell is offensive.
• Leaf collapse — Sudden watering after a dry spell can shock the large leaf; maintain consistent moisture once in leaf.
• Spider mites — The large leaf surface is susceptible in dry conditions; increase humidity and treat with insecticidal soap.
• Poor tuber size increase — Insufficient light or feeding during the growing season; improve both to ensure a bigger bloom next year.

Companion plants

Monarch of the East pairs well with Colocasia esculenta, Amorphophallus konjac, and Arum italicum. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Separate offset tubers when repotting in late autumn. Offsets take 2-3 seasons to reach flowering size. Seed-grown plants take 3-4 years to first flower. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Monarch of the East is toxic to pets. Not individually listed by the ASPCA, but the genus Sauromatum is an aroid and all parts contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. The spathe also produces foul-smelling compounds toxic to small animals if ingested. Causes oral burning, drooling, and vomiting in pets; keep well out of reach. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Monarch of the East deep-dive guides

Every aspect of monarch of the east care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Common monarch of the east problems & fixes
• Monarch of the East watering schedule
• Monarch of the East light requirements
• Best soil mix for monarch of the east
• Monarch of the East fertilizing guide
• When to repot monarch of the east
• How to propagate monarch of the east
• How to prune monarch of the east
• What's eating my monarch of the east?
• Monarch of the East growth rate & size
• Monarch of the East cold hardiness
• Monarch of the East temperature & humidity
• Is monarch of the east toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is monarch of the east toxic to cats?
• Is monarch of the east toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Monarch of the East qualifies for 5 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Houseplants toxic to cats & dogs — The common houseplants the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs — the ones to keep out of reach, each with its symptoms and a safe alternative.
• Best houseplants for a cool room — Houseplants that tolerate cool conditions down to about 10°C — for an unheated spare room, hallway, porch or a home kept cool.
• Browse all 30 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Monarch of the East is also known as Voodoo Lily, Red Calla, and Tender Arum.

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• All 11687 plant care guides in the Growli library