Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Introduction

Native to Southern Japan, Aspidistra elatior or the Cast Iron Plant is a popular indoor plant famous for its hardiness and easy care nature. Extremely tolerant to neglect the plant is aptly named the ‘Cast Iron Plant’. The rhizomatous, evergreen perennial has long-lanceolate leaves that are glossy green, creating Jungle vibes and can attain a height of around 60 cm. The Cast Iron Plant is very forgiving, tolerating both low-light conditions and some direct sun, overwatering and underwatering, as well as varying soil conditions, making it a perfect low-maintenance option or beginner’s plant. The Aspidistra elatior of course can also be grown outdoors in shady positions. There are a few varieties such as the Variegated Cast Iron Plant, which has strong white streaks and the Milkyway or Shooting Star which is a charming rare variegated variety with spots, reminiscent of stars. The Cast Iron Plant very rarely produce fleshy, maroon red flower on the rhizome close to the soil and its foliage is why it is generally collected. The extensive fibrous roots of Cast Iron Plant help it to compete for water and nutrients in the soil among other garden vegetation.

Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Planting

With minimum care the slow growing Cast Iron Plant makes a great addition to your indoor garden. Aspidistra elatior can also be planted in shady outdoors areas such as an understorey of palms or other large plants. The variegation of the variegated varieties of cream-white is more prominent when grown outdoors Aspidistra elatior forms an excellent ground cover in low light areas of your garden. They can be great planted along walkways or in pots as single feature plants. Aspidistra elatior ‘Variegata’ are more showy than the plain green variety and is a great option for a striking look with minimal maintenance. Look for some larger pots to hold the extensive roots of your Cast Iron Plant.

Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Lighting and Position

The Cast Iron Plant has a great love for shaded locations. The plant is extremely happy when grown under partial shade or completely shaded locations. Indoors, Cast Iron Plant exhibits richer shades of green when direct light is completely avoided. Keep them set back from window sills and patios, where bright sunlight can scorch or bleach your Aspidistra elatior leaves, especially in Summer months.

Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Soil and Fertilisation

Any well-draining soil is suitable for the Cast Iron Plant. Clayey soils can be supplemented with peat moss, perlite or coarse compost to increase the porosity. The plant appreciates persistent moisture and occasional enrichment of potting mix with good garden compost will give it a boost. Give some good mulch for the Aspidistra elatior soil to keep them moist all the time.

Feed your Cast Iron Plant once a month with any balanced house plant fertilizer to encourage faster growth. Apply it as liquid while watering or go for slow release granules to be fed early during planting. Avoid winter feeding as it can burn the tender roots of Aspidistra elatior.

Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Watering

Cast Iron Plants are very resistant to underwatering but for best results keep the Aspidistra elatior soil moist without logging the soil with water. In Warmer months water twice a week or only when the tops soil seems to be completely dried out. A pot with good large drainage holes should be used for Cast Iron Plants. Aspidistra elatior won’t be bothered even if you skip watering for a week or so. The fairly drought tolerant Aspidistra elatior manages through low water regimes quite easily.

We recommend using our Plant Food available here.

Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Pruning and Maintenance

The slow growing Aspidistra elatior needs very minimal pruning as it takes a year for the plant to double in size. Single or two leaves are formed during a growing season. Also the foliages of Cast Iron Plant are very persistent as they stay for a long time. All you need is to just trim off any diseased or browned leaves.

Repot your Cast Iron Plant once every 2-3 years to make room for those large root balls. If the slender root begin to crawl out of the drainage holes then its time think about repotting.

Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Propagation

Rhizome cuttings are the most common method of propagation in Aspidistra elatiors. It’s best to do the pruning while repotting your Cast Iron Plant. Remove the plant out of the pot and dust off the excess soil attached to the roots. Using sharp and sterile pruning scissors prune off the rhizome into portions along with 2-3 leaves and intact stem attached. Plant them in regular house plant potting mix, drizzle some water and keep out of direct sunlight. Aspidistra elatior cuttings can gain new growth within 2-3 weeks.

Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Common Pests and Diseases

Common Indoor Plant pests such as Mealy bugs, spider mites, and scales are some of the common pests that can thrive on your Aspidistra elatior. Treat them effectively with regular bio-pesticide or organic insecticidal solutions like neem oil sprays.

The appearance of red water soaked spots on variegated Cast Iron leaves marks the infestation of the fungus Fusarium, known as Fusarium blight. Prune away the diseased leaves and apply some biofungicide to the soil to prevent spread and future reinfection. Overly-wet soil of Aspidistra elatior can create a breeding ground for fungus like Sclerotia that cause stem rot and eventually yellowing of the leaves. Proper soil drainage and complete omission of overwatering keeps the fungus away from your Cast Iron Plant.

For more information on how to manage common plant pests head to our blog here.

Aspidistra elatior – Cast Iron Plant Design Tips

The Aspidistra elatior isn’t a particularly showy plant, but it does offer a mature looking form and its dark green colouring is well suited to tropical designs such as Balinese inspired designs. Choose a rustic, imperfect pot to compliment this nature.

For higher impact consider one of the variegated varieties. Aspidistra Milky Way is actually one of our favourite species, not only for its stunning appearance but for its ease of care nature, making it perfect for AirBnBs and similar. Cast Iron Plants can be great understory plants and can accompany taller plants like Giant Birds of Paradise to create stunning combos.