Succeeds in any soil other than boggy conditions. Prefers a rich soil of a woodland nature. Shade tolerant. Plants grow well on walls if they are given a semi-shaded position and a pocket of soil into which to root. A short-lived perennial, but it self-sows freely and can easily become a weed. It quickly colonizes waste ground and thin woodland areas. Once established, the plant is very difficult to eradicate.

Leaves - cooked in small quantities. They contain small amounts of toxic alkaloids. The leaves are boiled with clean earth, the mixture is left overnight and then thoroughly washed in several changes of water. Very much a famine food, to be used when all else fails!!.

Seed - sow in situ February to May or August to November. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 12 months. The plant self-sows freely and should not need much encouragement. Division in March. The plant bleeds profusely so this method is not recommended.

Rubble, damp ground, banks, hedgerows and by walls, nearly always close to human habitations.