Prefers a good loamy soil containing leaf mold[1]. Succeeds in a good open soil but if it is to thrive it needs copious rainfall, high humidity and warmer conditions than are normally found in Britain[2][7]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[8]. They succeed outdoors in the mildest areas in the south and west of the country[1]. They are hardy in Cornwall, southern Ireland etc[2], where they succeed in woodland gardens[9].