Cast Iron Plant
- Botanical Name
- Aspidistra elatior
- Min Zone
- 8
- Max Zone
- 10
- Height
- 2 to 3 feet
- Width
- 1 to 2 feet
- Flowers
- Spring: insignificant creamy-purple at soil line, not usual for plants growing indoors
- Light
- Part to full shade, bright indirect light
- Soil
- Well-drained, peaty potting mix
- Planting & Care
- Does not require a humid atmosphere
- Best sited in bright indirect light
- Mostly grown indoors as a houseplant, but used in southern landscapes as a groundcover
- Water thoroughly whenever the soil is dry
- Only fertilize actively growing plants in need of a nutrient boost
- The large flat leaves benefit from an occasional cleaning, wipe off any dust with a damp cloth several times a year
- Problems
- None serious
- Varieties
- Amanogawa - dark green leaves marked with long creamy white and yellow stripes and creamy white speckles
- Lennon's Song - narrow foliage with irregular bands of muted yellow
- Milky May - black and green leaves with white spots
- Variegata - leaves streaked with white stripes
- Ginga Minor - 15 inch long leaves spotted with yellow
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