This is a genus of rhizomatous evergreen flowering plants in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to Asia. They can be found growing along streams and other moist sites and are 1-2 feet tall. Many cultivars have been developed with showy variegated leaves. They prefer partly shady to shady locations with moist well-drained soil. They are hardy in zones 7-10 in the USA. The foliage is evergreen until the temperature drops below 20 degrees F. The plants can reach 1-2 feet tall with a similar spread. Divide in spring if needed. Most of these plants have large rounded leathery leaves, are evergreen and some are variegated. The bright yellow aster-like flowers appear in clusters in the fall. They can be used as a ground cover along streams and ponds or as an understory plant. They look great mass-planted in shady areas but also do well in containers. Additional Farfugium images at Juniper Level Botanical Gardens Fafugium (leopard Plant) Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails can be a problem.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Orbicular; Reniform
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Attractive rounded to kidney-shaped leaves are glossy green to variegated. Some may have a crinkled appearance. They can be up to 12 inches across.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Corymb
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Daisy-like flowers in loose corymbs appear in fall above the foliage. There are around 7-8 or more yellow rays surrounding the center disc flowers. Individual flowers are 1-2 inches across
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Dry achenes with hairs attached to the seeds for wind dispersal.