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With bold, glossy foliage that thrives where few other plants can, Farfugium has earned its place as the newest Texas Superstar plant.
Known by several common names — leopard plant, tractor seat plant, and by its former genus name, Ligularia — Farfugium stands out from many Texas Superstar selections because its main attraction isn’t a flower, said Andrew King, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research ornamental horticulturist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences. Instead, it’s the plant’s thick, glossy, deep green foliage that gives it year-round appeal in the landscape.
“It does things and fits well where other shade-loving plants available to us don’t,” King said. “It’s tough. It’s low maintenance. It’s adaptable to soils and pH levels. It’s a perennial evergreen that you can count on year after year, and the glossy sheen makes it stand out.”
Aesthetics meets statewide adaptability
Farfugium is a herbaceous perennial that provides a range of options in landscapes. They are a member of the Asteraceae family, and in the summer and fall, plants produce yellow, daisy-like blooms. But those flowers, charming as they are, play a supporting role to the show-stopping leaves. Each solitary leaf can span from 6 inches to 18 inches across, depending on the cultivar, with the overall foliar canopy reaching up to 24 inches tall.
King said Farfugium’s remarkable adaptability ultimately secured its Texas Superstar status. The plant performs well in the acidic soils of East Texas, the heavy clays of the Gulf Coast, the alkaline soils of Central Texas, and even the drier conditions found in West Texas and the Panhandle.
“The versatility around the house stands out, but also its adaptability to the different soil types and moisture and pH levels,” he said. “They do need water and some basic care, but once they are established, Farfugium can handle a certain amount of neglect and bounce back year after year.”
Where Farfugium works in landscapes
Farfugium thrives in shade to partial shade, making it a valuable option for the deep-shade areas of a landscape, where King said few other plants provide reliable structure and texture throughout the year. Gardeners should avoid exposing it to afternoon sun through the summer months to keep the foliage looking its healthiest. The foliage in variegated cultivars will scorch in full sun.
Mature plants typically reach 12-24 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide and are hardy in U.S. Department of Agricultural zones 5 through 10. Farfugium can perform as an evergreen perennial in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10 but usually goes dormant to the ground most winters in zones 5-8.
Farfugium can be planted from containers year-round, though fall or early spring planting tends to give the best results. Plants prefer moist, well-drained soil but tolerate heavier soils and a wide pH range. King said it does best with moderate to consistent moisture.
In the landscape, Farfugium works well in perennial and mixed borders, foundation plantings and mass plantings for textural effect in shady areas. It also performs well in containers on a patio or elsewhere in the landscape.
Gardeners looking for variety have plenty of options. Several cultivars offer variegated foliage, more compact growth habits, or leaves with frilly or undulating margins. The variety giganteum produces especially large leaves, up to 15 inches wide, while other cultivars vary widely in leaf sheen, from a soft matte finish to an almost mirror-like gloss.
More about the Texas Superstar plant program
Texas Superstar is a registered trademark owned by AgriLife Research. Texas Superstar plants undergo years of field trials by AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to ensure they perform reliably for Texas consumers. Only the toughest, most reliable and best-looking plants make the list.
Plants are designated by the Texas Superstar executive board, which comprises nine horticulture faculty and professionals from AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, the Department of Horticultural Sciences and Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
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