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Cast iron plant care
Aspidistra elatior · Asparagaceae
Also called Bar room plant, Iron plant, Common aspidistra.
A stemless, clump-forming evergreen from Japan with long, dark green, leathery leaves that rise straight from the soil. It earned its name by surviving shade, dry air, cool rooms and irregular watering that would kill most houseplants. It grows slowly and rarely needs repotting.
Light
Low LightWatering
Every 2 weeksDifficulty
EasyPets
Non-toxic to cats and dogsHeight indoors
0.6-0.9 m
Growth
Slow
Temperature
5-20 °C
Not below 5 °C
HumidityUnconfirmed
30% - 50%
Fine in dry rooms
Soil pHUnconfirmed
6.0-7.5
Neutral soil
Native to
- Japan
Through the year
Water when the top 5 to 7 cm of soil are dry and empty the saucer afterwards. In winter it needs very little water; soggy soil is the one thing it does not forgive.
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Spring
Every 2 weeksDivide or repot if the clump has filled the pot and start light feeding.
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Summer
WeeklyWater when the soil has dried a few centimetres down and keep it out of direct sun.
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Autumn
Every 2 weeksStop feeding and start watering less.
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Winter
MonthlyKeep it above 5 °C and water sparingly; it rests until spring.
Feeding
Every 8 weeks in spring and summer. All-purpose houseplant fertilizer. Do not feed in autumn or winter.
Care tips
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Use it where nothing else grows
It tolerates dim corners, hallways and rooms far from a window better than almost any other houseplant.
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Wipe the leaves
The broad leaves collect dust; a damp cloth every few weeks keeps them glossy and able to use the little light they get.
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Cut old leaves at the base
Remove tattered or brown leaves right down at soil level; new ones come up from the rhizome.
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Divide in spring
Split crowded clumps in spring or early summer, keeping at least two leaves on each piece.
Common problems
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Root rot
What you seeLeaves yellow and collapse while the soil stays wet, and the base turns soft.
What to doCut off soft roots, repot in a free-draining mix and let the top few centimetres dry before each watering.
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Bleached or scorched leaves
What you seePale, yellow-brown patches appear on leaves facing a sunny window.
What to doMove it away from direct sun; a north-facing room suits it.
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Spider mites and scale
What you seeFine speckling or small brown bumps on the leaves, often on the undersides.
What to doWipe the leaves with a damp cloth, check them weekly and treat with insecticidal soap if the pests return.
Pets
Is cast iron plant safe for cats and dogs?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Good to know
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Its small purple-brown flowers open right at soil level and are easy to miss; houseplants rarely produce them.
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The genus name comes from the Greek word for a small shield.
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It was so common in British homes that a 1938 hit song was written about it.
