PlantFiles: Giant Leopard Plant
Farfugium japonicum 'Gigantea'

This plant has done so well for me in Atlanta, GA that I have divided it multiple times and given to neighbors! It does die back to the ground during colder winters but comes right back to life the moment it warms up. It does bloom much later for me than it seems to for other growers. Most years, it blooms in between November and January.

Bought a couple of these plants in spring 2012 and from the very beginning they thrived and grew. They were about a foot across when installed in a shaded side yard and now, Feb. 2013 they are 2 feet across. They laughed at our mild Houston winter. In pulling off a dead leaf during a bed cleanup a couple of weeks ago, I managed to accidentally pull up an offshoot with a few roots attached. Stuck it back in the ground a few inches from the mama plant and it seems to be doing just fine. I love everything about this plant. Looks like it would be difficult because it is so glossy beautiful, but it is the easiest plant in my yard.

Great plant. Shade-loving, evergreen, tropical looking. It grew rapidly to get those big beautiful leaves, which make a great border for my deck which is in nearly 100% shade. The only issue with this plant is it does need a good deal of water in the hot Charleston summers.

Spangle, WA (Zone 5b) - I have a variegated variety that is extremely well established and definitely cold hard in our region. Have never seen this plant flower.

I garden in Zone 7B (although sometimes it feels likes 6A). This plant does well, but collapses entirely in temps well below freezing. It resprouts from base in the spring. In our area, it is a slug magnet, so in order to keep it as its lovely self, I need to bait weekly during the busiest slug season.

We live in Washington, DC and have a potted Giant Leopard plant which totally wows us. It's about 3' X 3' with some of its' leaves as big as large dinner plates. We have kept it outdoors for three years until this winter, which is a cold one. We have it indoors near a window and it is not thriving. But with 20" of snow outside, we're hesitant to move it out. We would love instruction from anyone who has one of these potted beauties and knows how much cold it can tolerate.

I adore this plant. It is a thirsty one for me and flowers are rather ugly; certainly not the reason why one would grow this plant. Still adore it.

My very favorite plant in my garden. Nuff said!

This is a very beautiful foliage plant. It gets wilty in the hot dry summers here but perks right up in the evening. A shade lover in my climate but will tolerate the sun if watered frequently.

This plant did very well in our heat (SC). It got early morning sun and an hour 1/2 of afternoon sun and would wilt a little, but kept watered it has done very well. I submited a pic of the flowers which are coming out now. They are not much compared to the leaves which added nice color to the shade garden.

I live in Australia and have been searching for the specific plant I have in the backyard. It's a Farfugium Giganteum but not the one in the picture. It has big green glossy leaves with no spots or ruffles. It looks like the old style tractor seat, and that's actually what we bought it named as. A Tractor Seat Plant. Anyway it's growing beautifully and has flowered once. Fully recommend this plant.

I certainly agree with DLSlandscape - the variegated Leopard plant is one of my favorites for shade. The thick green leaves are about a hands width across and slightly cupped. Mine has never frozen down in Baton Rouge. The only trouble I have ever experienced is when we had 27 inches of rain in three days and the poor thing almost drowned. I had to dig it out to let it drain and dry out. The yellow flowers are, in my opinion, inconsequential. My plant is 24 inches tall and 30 inches wide. This plant also comes with solid green leaves. We know it by the synonym Ligularia tussilaginea in my area.

Why this plant is not more popular in North Texas - or other areas with similar climates - is a mystery. This is a beautiful plant that could easily be used in place of Hosta (but without the slug problems) or Fern. Best of all, I've found it to be ever-green to about 15 degrees F. The only damage I've seen it sustain in a winter was from an ice storm. You can just trim out the damaged leaves in March, and the plant fills back in within days.
Leopard Plant can be hard to find, but well worth the effort. It prefers morning sun or full shade. Direct sunlight causes the plant to take on a wilting look. Regular watering, fertile soil, and occasional flower fertilizer are also required. Despite its description, I have never seen this plant get taller than 18-24 inches. Combine this plant with a backdrop of Persian Shield for a look that will make people's jaws drop.