skunk cabbage

Watering skunk cabbage should be done in moderation and should happen every 7 to 10 days. The plant should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged or saturated. If you are unsure whether your skunk cabbage needs watering, check the surface of the soil. If it feels dry to the touch, then it's time to water. Avoid wetting the leaves of the skunk cabbage as this could cause damage or disease. Additionally, water early in the day so the foliage time to dry before nightfall to prevent unnecessary water loss.

Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) typically thrives best in bright, indirect sunlight. Generally, early morning sunlight for 4–5 hours is ideal for this particular species. During the hottest parts of day – late morning through early afternoon – skunk cabbages should receive some shade to prevent them from wilting or becoming too hot. In order to ensure the healthiest and most vibrant blooms, skunk cabbage should receive some direct sunlight during late afternoon and early evening. However, they should not be exposed to long hours of intense direct sunlight or excessive heat.

Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) should be pruned in the late winter or early spring, while the plant is still dormant. Pruning should be done gently and carefully, removing any broken, discolored, or diseased leaves, stems, and stalks. It is also important to remove any flowering stalks that have produced seeds, in order to control the spread of this invasive species. When pruning, only remove about 1 third of the plant's foliage each year. Skunk cabbage can handle more significant pruning, but this should be done sparingly.