Ligularia reniformis (Tractor Seat Plant)

Ligularia reniformis (Tractor Seat Plant) Details

Ligularia reniformis, commonly known as the Tractor Seat Plant, is an herbaceous perennial grown in NZ for its foliage and showy flowers. The dark green leaves are large and glossy and have an interesting, ‘tractor seat’ appearance, hence the common name. Stems rise above the foliage during summer bearing clusters of orange-yellow, daisy-like flowers. Ligularia reniformis typically grows to 75 cm tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site that does not dry out. It will tolerate light frost once established but does require year-round moisture to perform. It may die back during winter but will regrow again in spring. The Tractor Seat Plant is commonly used in border plantings, planted beside a water feature, maintained in a container, added to a mixed planting, included in a tropical garden, or planted en masse for a stunning display.

Tractor Seat Plant Problems

Tractor Seat Plants (Ligularia reniformis) don’t experience many problems, but a few of the more common issues include overwatering, underwatering, too much shade, lack of nutrients, and the occasional pest and disease issue. When a Tractor Seat plant is overwatered, the leaves turn yellow and wilt, and the stems may turn soft and mushy. This is the most common cause of plant death and is easily remedied by reducing the watering or addressing any soil drainage issues. Underwatering is shown also by wilting, but in this instance the leaves will start to become crispy. Yellowing and uneven colouring across the leaves is generally related to either too little natural light or a nutrient deficiency. An application of general fertiliser is usually sufficient to fix nutritional issues. Heavy shade often also causes the leaves to become “leggy” and plants are better positioned where they receive at least 2-3 hours of direct sun per day or six hours of dappled light such as might occur under a deciduous tree. Slugs and snails can chew on Ligularia reniformis leaves and these are easily sorted with slug bait.