Farfugium Giganteum, Giant Leaves for Shady Beds, Planted for You
Farfugium giganteum, the giant leopard plant, brings huge, glossy, rounded leaves to shady, moist beds, and it grows in Southwest Florida if you keep it watered and out of the afternoon sun. It forms a bold clump about 1 to 2 ft tall, with yellow daisy flowers in fall. It comes in 3 gallon pots, and our crew plants it and cleans up.
- Light:
- Part to full shade; leaves burn in afternoon sun
- Water:
- Regular; keep evenly moist, wilts when dry
- Salt:
- Low; keep out of salt spray
Farfugium Giganteum sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Farfugium Giganteum | 3 Gallon |
Farfugium Giganteum in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- A leaf clump 1 to 2 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wide; fall flower stalks rise higher
- Light
- Part to full shade; leaves burn in afternoon sun
- Water
- Regular; keep evenly moist, wilts when dry
- Salt tolerance
- Low; keep out of salt spray
- Cold tolerance
- Cold hardy; frost may burn the leaves, and it regrows
- Growth rate
- Slow to moderate
- Spacing
- 2 to 3 ft apart for a mass planting
- Florida native
- No
- Botanical name
- Farfugium japonicum var. giganteum
Where Farfugium Giganteum works in a SW Florida yard
Giant leopard plant is a shade garden feature: set it where its huge leaves can be seen, such as a courtyard corner, under an oak or palm canopy, or beside a shady entry walk. The rounded glossy leaves contrast with fine-textured ferns and strappy foliage.
Pair it with Boston fern, cast iron plant and ti plant, and stay away from hot west-facing beds.
- Shade garden focal plants
- Moist beds under trees
- Shady entry courtyards
- Bold foliage contrast
How our crew plants it
Choose a spot with morning sun at most, or open shade, and soil that stays moist. Plant at the same depth as the pot, in a hole slightly wider than the pot, mixing compost into the backfill since sandy soil drains fast.
Mulch and water in well. Keep the bed damp while it roots in; Lee and Collier allow extra watering for new plantings.
Care after planting
- Water often enough that the soil stays evenly moist, especially in the dry season, since the leaves wilt first when it runs dry.
- Keep mulch 2 to 3 inches deep to hold moisture and cool the roots.
- Cut off burned or tattered leaves at the base after a frost or a hot spell.
- Feed lightly in spring with a slow-release fertilizer, and hold off during the June to September nitrogen and phosphorus ban.
- Hand-pick snails and slugs after rain, or use an iron phosphate bait if damage is heavy.
What to watch for
- Snails and slugs chew holes in the big leaves, especially in rainy season.
- Afternoon sun and dry soil scorch and wilt the leaves quickly, so summer heat is the main challenge in our area.
Farfugium Giganteum questions we hear
Will farfugium giganteum grow in Southwest Florida?+
Yes, in shade with regular moisture. It is hardy through zone 10 and takes our winters, but summer sun and fast-draining sandy soil are the challenge. Plant it in part to full shade, add mulch and water regularly, and it forms a bold clump.
How much shade does giant leopard plant need?+
Part to full shade. Morning sun is fine, but afternoon sun burns and wilts the leaves quickly. Open shade under oaks and palms, or the north and east sides of the house, work best. In deep shade it still grows, just more slowly.
Why are my farfugium leaves wilting or full of holes?+
Wilting usually means too much sun or dry soil, and holes mean slugs and snails. Move it out of afternoon sun or add shade, water deeply and keep mulch on the bed. Hand-pick snails after rain and use an iron phosphate bait if needed.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Farfugium Giganteum
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.