Requires a well-drained soil. Does not require high light intensities, succeeding in full sun or partial shade. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7. Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c, and can be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country if given the shelter of a wall. This same report gives the plant a hardiness zone rating of 6 (tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c). Grows well outdoors in Cornwall amongst trees and shrubs. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value.

None known

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse and keep the compost moist in a light position. The seed can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking a year or more. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division. Basal cuttings from tubers in spring. Bulblets, formed in the leaf axils. Harvest in the autumn and store overwinter in a cool frost-free place, plant out in spring.

Shady slopes or wet places.