Aspidistra – Cast Iron Plant

Fully deserving of its common name, Cast Iron Plant, the aspidistra is extremely resilient and has a wonderful ability to thrive on very little care. The fact that it also copes with pollution gives rise to its alternative name Bar-Room Plant.

The aspidistra is an elegant foliage plant with tough, leathery leaves, perfect for a shady corner where other plants may fail.

A firm favourite with the Victorians, the Aspidistra elatior is an excellent choice for the modern home. Their graceful outlines will add a cool, sophisticated tone to any room. Smaller plants are ideal in a pot to compliment the surrounding décor. Larger plants make a bold, confident statement when stood on the floor.

Horty Hints

The Cast Iron Plant prefers well-draining soil, so don’t let it sit in a puddle for too long!

Fight the Mites! Cast iron plants are susceptible to spider mites and scale! If you notice white dotting on the leaves, there could be a pest problem. See our pests guide for help.

Wash the leaves occasionally to remove accumulated dust.

Light

Aspidistra elatior will thrive in a range of lighting conditions. Bright, indirect light to a dark, gloomy corner. Avoid sitting in full sunlight however. Very tolerant of shade.

Watering

Keep moist and evenly watered in summer, but more sparsely in winter. Relatively forgiving if you forget to water from time-to-time. Avoid excess moisture around the roots as this can lead to root rot.

Temperature

The Cast Iron Plant will thrive in average household warmth and can tolerate temperatures as low as 7-10°C, but avoid keeping the plant in anything colder.

Humidity

Aspidistra does not need a humid environment, but may thrive better in steamier locations such as the bathroom or kitchen. Misting occasionally may benefit the plant but is not required.

Feed

Apply a weak feed every 1-2 months during the growing season to encourage fuller foilage.

View Plant Nutrition

Height & Growth Rate

Aspidistra is slow growing and will usually rise to a height of around 1 metre.

Toxicity

The Cast Iron Plant is considered non-toxic. It is safe to keep around small children and animals.

Air Purifying

This plant will remove unwanted chemicals from the air, such as formaldehyde.

Origin

Aspidistra elatior is native to South East Asia, specifically Japan and Taiwan.

Please note: images show how this plant may look at various stages of maturity. The size you choose may look different.

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