Little Brown Jug, Hexastylis arifolia is an attractive native perennial with aromatic, evergreen foliage and unique “jug-shaped” flowers. It is a great addition to naturalized shaded borders and woodland gardens. The leaves remain evergreen for most of the year, and the creeping rhizomes enable it to spread and form a dense groundcover, ideal for adding texture and naturalizing in woodland understories or rock garden settings.

When do Little Brown Jugs bloom?

Little Brown Jug blooms in early spring with small, maroon to brown flowers that are held close to the ground beneath the foliage. The flowers are pollinated by small native bees that crawl into the “jug-shaped” blooms to access the nectar. The flowers are subtle and low to the ground but can be quite charming up close.

Growing conditions: Little Brown Jug thrives in rich, humusy, well-draining soil with consistent moisture. It grows best in partial to full shade and can be an excellent groundcover or woodland understory plant. It is relatively low-maintenance once established and can spread slowly over time to form a dense groundcover.

Little Brown Jug is valued for its unique blooms and evergreen foliage, making it an excellent choice for naturalized shaded areas in woodland gardens and borders. It can be paired with other shade-loving native plants like ferns, trilliums, bloodroot, and foamflower to create a layered, woodland-inspired garden. Its creeping habit and foliage texture also make it an interesting addition to rock gardens.

In the wild, Little Brown Jug can be found in deciduous forests and woodlands in eastern North America. 

It can be used in garden settings to naturalize shaded areas and create a woodland aesthetic. This understory perennial thrives in rich, well-drained soil and can spread to form a dense groundcover.

Little Brown Jug is a great choice for gardeners who want to add a native plant with interesting character, woodland charm, and evergreen foliage to their shaded gardens.