Aspidistra: care & propagation of the cast-iron plant

Aside from having beautiful foliage, cast-iron plants are virtually indestructible! So, they are perfect houseplants for beginners. Find out about some of the many Aspidistra varieties, as well as how to care for and propagate them.

Despite their resemblance, cast-iron plants are not actually related to palm trees. They are, however, just as popular to keep as houseplants or to greenify office spaces. Read on to discover some of our favourite Aspidistra varieties with our top tips on how to look after and propagate these easy-care plants.

Aspidistra: origin, flowers and characteristics

Aspidistra, also known as the cast-iron plant or bar-room plant, is a genus of plant native to the tropical and subtropical regions of East Asia. It belongs to the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, and comprises about 140 species, of which only a few can be kept as houseplants. The best known is probably Aspidistra elatior. Aspidistra are commonly known as cast-iron plants as they are very robust and easy to care for. They are considered virtually indestructible!

While these herbaceous, evergreen plants grow slowly, they can reach around 80 cm high. Aspidistra leaves are not attached to a stem but instead grow out of the rhizome. These dark green leaves sit on long leaf stalks. In nature, cast-iron plants produce bell-shaped flowers. Aspidistra flowers are not easy to spot as they have extremely short stalks and so grow very close to the ground. This also explains why cast-iron plants need snails as pollinators. Kept indoors as a houseplant however, Aspidistra rarely bloom.

Our favourite Aspidistra varieties and species

While there are many Aspidistra species, not all can be kept as houseplants. Here are a few cast-iron plant varieties that are the result of breeding Aspidistra elatior.

• Aspidistra elatior ‘Variegata’: Variegated variety with green leaves and white variegation or stripes.
• Aspidistra elatior ‘Asahi’: This variety’s leaves are green with white tips.
• Aspidistra elatior ‘Lennon’s Song’: The leaves of ‘Lennon’s song’ stand out because of their distinctive light yellow stripe.
• Aspidistra caespitosa: This species has much narrower leaves than Aspidistra elatior which grow to about 2 cm wide and up to 60 cm long.
• Aspidistra lurida ‘Ginga’: Also sold under the name Aspidistra elatior ‘Milky Way’, this variety has green leaves with fine white speckles.

Growing cast-iron plants: where and how

Cast-iron plants are not fussy. They feel at home in most places, so you can keep them in just about any room, from the bathroom to your bedroom. While this plant likes light or partial shade, it will also do just fine in a shady spot, making it a suitable plant for dark rooms. Aspidistra varieties with white patterns on their leaves need a little more light to keep their colour. Do bear in mind, however, that too much direct sun can damage the leaves.

As a rule, cast-iron plants like to be kept warm all year round. While temperatures of around 20 °C are ideal, they will not mind slightly warmer or cooler conditions – just don’t let them get colder than 8 °C, even in the winter. If it is warm enough in the summer, you can also place your cast-iron plant outside, somewhere out of direct sun. As Aspidistra are not winter hardy, you will need to bring yours back indoors when temperatures start to drop.

When planting Aspidistra, use a pot with a drainage hole and create a drainage layer out of expanded clay or clay shards at the bottom of the pot. This allows excess water to drain away and prevents waterlogging. Opt for a high-quality potting soil with a good water retention capacity, like our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost, for instance. This peat-free soil contains only plant-based ingredients and is a good choice for cast-iron plants. It stores water and nutrients well, gradually releasing these to the plant. For even better drainage, mix in about a third of sand.

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Aspidistra care

Aspidistra are easy-care plants with no special requirements – a little water and the occasional bit of fertiliser is enough to keep them happy. Just remember to wipe down the leaves now and then to keep them looking shiny.

Watering, pruning and fertilising

Cast-iron plants need watering once the top third of the soil is dry. Ideally, use rainwater or tap water that has been left to sit for a while. Water generously and pour away excess water to avoid waterlogging. Do not worry if you miss a watering – Aspidistra are very forgiving plants. Having said that, you should of course not neglect them entirely.

It is not necessary to prune cast-iron plants, but you can remove discoloured leaves once they are completely wilted. To do this, use a clean, sharp tool (like a knife or secateurs) and cut the leaf at the base. Never cut in the middle of the plant, as this is where the plant forms new leaves. Occasionally cutting off some of the shiny, healthy leaves to use in bouquets or flower arrangements is also not an issue.

Note: When removing leaves from Aspidistra elatior ‘Variegata’, be sure to only take leaves that are purely green. Removing leaves with variegation (those with white parts) could cause your plant to revert, meaning it may end up producing only green leaves.

Aspidistra require relatively few nutrients in comparison to other plants. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to regularly fertilise your cast-iron plant– about once a month during the growing period is enough. Liquid fertilisers that you dilute into the water you use when watering your plants are ideal for indoor plants. Our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food, for instance, is a great choice as it contains all the necessary nutrients for almost all houseplants and ensures healthy leaves and roots.

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You can repot every three to four years during the spring. When repotting Aspidistra, use a slightly larger pot so that it has enough room to grow new roots.

Are cast-iron plants winter hardy?

Cast-iron plants are not winter hardy and do not tolerate temperatures below 8 °C. In winter, however, they can tolerate slightly colder temperatures of around 10 – 12 °C. During this dormancy period, Aspidistra will not grow as fast and do not need to be watered as much. It is not necessary to fertilise these plants in winter.

What to do if your Aspidistra has yellow leaves

Yellowing or browning of the leaves is often due to incorrect watering:

• Waterlogging: Waterlogging leads to root rot which results in brown or yellow leaves. Repot your cast-iron plant into fresh soil, provide a good drainage layer and water less.
• Hard water: Watering with hard water (high in lime) can lead to leaf discolouration. This is known as lime-induced chlorosis. It is therefore best to use water low in lime, ideally rainwater.
• Direct sun: Too much direct sunlight can lead to brown spots on leaves. To prevent further damage, simply move your plant to a shadier spot.

How to propagate Aspidistra

Aspidistra can be propagated through division. This is when you separate the so-called daughter plants from the mother plant. The best time to do this is in the spring. To do this, simply lift the plant out of its pot and separate the rhizomes with your hands or with a clean knife. Make sure each separated part has at least two leaves. Proceed by planting the daughter plants into new pots. You can either plant them up individually, or plant several together in one pot for a bushier appearance. Keep the temperature at around 15 °C at the beginning. Treat the newly separated plants just as you would the mother plant, but refrain from fertilising at first to encourage the roots to develop well.

In our part of the world, it is practically impossible to propagate Aspidistra by seed. Since these plants rarely flower when kept as houseplants, it is almost impossible to produce seeds yourself – and Aspidistra seeds are difficult to come by in shops.

Is the cast-iron plant poisonous?

As far as we know, Aspidistra are not poisonous, neither to humans nor to pets.

Aside from cast-iron plants, there are plenty of other plants suitable for the darker corners of your home. Discover some of the most beautiful shade-loving houseplants in our in-depth article.