Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite) Aconitum carmichaelii
Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite) (Aconitum carmichaelii) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native to Central and western China, Korea and northern Vietnam. It grows 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central and western China, Korea and northern Vietnam |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite) toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: all parts, especially the roots, sap through broken skin
Among the most poisonous garden plants: aconitine causes numbness, vomiting, heart rhythm problems and death. Wear gloves; never plant it near vegetables. The root (fuzi) is used in Chinese medicine only after long processing, and still causes poisonings.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite)
- How far apart should I plant Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite)?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite) flower?
- From about September for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Among the most poisonous garden plants: aconitine causes numbness, vomiting, heart rhythm problems and death. Wear gloves; never plant it near vegetables. The root (fuzi) is used in Chinese medicine only after long processing, and still causes poisonings.
- What grows well with Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chinese monkshood (Carmichael’s aconite). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Poisonous plants of North Carolina / Plant Toolbox toxicity, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Stiff stems of glossy, deeply lobed leaves and spikes of hooded violet-blue flowers in autumn, when little else is blue (‘Arendsii’, ‘Kelmscott’). Easy in moist soil in sun or part shade, and loved by bumblebees.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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