Asarum nipponicum, commonly known as Japanese Wild Ginger, is an evergreen perennial herb native to the understory of deciduous and mixed forests in Japan. It typically forms a low-growing ground cover, reaching a height of 0.3 feet (0.09 meters) and spreading up to 1 foot (0.3 meters) wide. The plant features heart-shaped, glossy leaves and inconspicuous, bell-shaped, dark purple flowers that bloom in the spring. The flowers are often hidden beneath the foliage, making them less showy, but they are intriguing upon closer inspection.

Japanese Wild Ginger is valued for its attractive, evergreen foliage, which provides a lush carpet in shaded garden areas. It is commonly used as a ground cover in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized areas. This plant prefers consistently moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil and thrives in part to full shade. It is relatively low maintenance and can be an excellent choice for areas where other plants might struggle due to lack of light. However, gardeners should be aware that it can be slow to establish and spread. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from slug damage.CC BY-SA 4.0