Also known as Green Dragon · 93 gardener saves
Pinellia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Pinellia, the genus most gardeners know as green dragon. We track 8 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 8 most-saved Pinellia varieties
Of 8 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGreen Dragon
Pinellia tripartita
#2 most savedSilver Dragon Pinellia
Pinellia tripartita 'Silver Dragon'
#3 most savedPinellia tripartita Dragon Tails
Pinellia tripartita 'Dragon Tails'
Green Dragon
Pinellia tripartita 'Free Tibet'
Green Dragon
Pinellia tripartita 'Atropurpurea'
Green Dragon
Pinellia pedatisecta
Yamazaki Pinellia
Pinellia cordata 'Yamazaki'
Pinellia Peltata
Pinellia peltata
How to grow Pinellia
What the Pinellia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Pinellia year
- DivideMarch and September100% of varieties
Divide tubers every 3-4 years to manage spread
- PlantMarch, April, September and October75% of varieties
Plant tubers in moist, shaded soil
- MulchMarch and April63% of varieties
Apply organic mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool
- Check for PestsApril–June63% of varieties
Monitor for slugs and snails, especially in wet conditions
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March63% of varieties
Remove old, dead foliage before new growth emerges
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Provide partial shade in hot climates
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch leaves ❌
- Do not allow soil to dry out completely
- Allow soil to dry out completely ❌
- Expose to direct, harsh sunlight
What goes wrong with Pinellia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Slugs | Irregular holes in leaves | Apply organic slug bait or handpick |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-drained soil and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply copper fungicide |
| Fungal leaf spots | Brown or black spots on foliage | Apply organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Pinellia
Division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
- Separate into smaller sections with roots intact.
- Plant divisions at same depth in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly and mulch around divisions.
Seeds
- Sow seeds in moist seed-starting mix in early spring.
- Cover lightly with soil and keep moist.
- Maintain temperature at 65-75°F for germination.
- Transplant seedlings when large enough.
Pinellia questions
How many types of Pinellia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Pinellia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 93 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Pinellia grow in?
Across its varieties, Pinellia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Pinellia bloom?
Most Pinellia varieties bloom in late spring, late spring, early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Pinellia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Pinellia shows up in
Design with Pinellia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
