Silphium perfoliatum
Cup Plant, Indian Cup
Please register or login to build your personal plant list.Cup Plant is a tall perennial with unique, perfoliate leaves that clasp around the stem, creating reservoirs for rainwater.
Description:
Silphium perfoliatum, commonly referred to as Cup Plant, is a striking perennial that holds a special place in wetland gardens and natural habitats. What sets this plant apart is its distinct perfoliate leaves, which encircle the stem like cups, creating reservoirs for rainwater, a unique feature that earned it its common name.
Cup Plant’s towering height, reaching up to 10 feet, and its sunny disposition in full sun make it a standout in gardens. In midsummer, it produces an abundance of bright yellow flowers that can be quite the pollinator magnet, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds. While Silphium perfoliatum may thrive in wetter soils, it’s adaptable to a range of conditions and can tolerate periods of drought once established. Its robust and resilient nature makes it an excellent choice for gardeners who appreciate native plants and the wildlife they support.
*Disclaimer: This plant grows aggressively, self-seeding and popping up everywhere.
Plant Details:
Other Common Names: Indian Cup
Plant Type: Flower, Perennial
New Jersey Native: No
Bloom Times: Summer, Late Summer to Fall
Bloom Colors: Yellow
Deer Resistance: Some
Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Bees and Other Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds
Salt Tolerance: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Physiographic Region: Piedmont - P, Highland - H, Coastal Plain - CP
Soil Characteristics
Soil Type: Loam, Organic, Clay
Soil Moisture: Dry, Moist, Wet
Soil pH: Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Light Needs of Plant
Optimal Light: Full Sun
Light Range: Full Sun
Water Needs of Plant
Soil Moisture: Dry, Moist, Wet
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Size and Growth Rate
Height: 4 - 10 ft
Spread: 1 - 3 ft
Growth Rate: Medium