Aspidistra is a member of the lily family and produces long-lasting, glossy, leathery, strap-like leaves that grow up to 24 inches in length. The leaf blades range from 1 foot to 2 1/2 feet, atop a 6 - 8 inch grooved … Find a location that doesn't receive much direct, full sun. They’re practically bomb-proof (we have not tested this). Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra Elatior) Care & Growing Guide, Corn Plant (Mass Cane) Care & Growing Guide, Dragon’s Tongue Plant Care & Growing Guide, Crested Euphorbia Plant Care & Growing Guide. Pot into pieces of the rhizome that include at least two leaves. I love spending my free time in my garden planting and taking care of my plants. Of those 5 are variegated, and the others are … Aspidistra elatior, the "cast-iron plant", is a popular houseplant, surviving shade, cool conditions and neglect. It is thought that it got its name because it is hard to destroy and is tolerant to neglect. Clip away any brown leaves in late summer to encourage new leaves to grow in spring. It is a member of the Lily family and is a native of China. Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior), also known as bar room plant, is a tough, long-lived plant with large, paddle-shaped leaves.This nearly indestructible tropical plant tolerates temperature fluctuations, occasional neglect, and nearly any light level with the exception of intense, direct sunlight. Tolerant of neglect, it is widely cultivated as a houseplant, but can also be grown outside in shade where temperatures remain above −5 °C. Did your Aspidistra seeds ever grow? Reply ↓ Plant Delights Nursery on January 13, 2018 at 8:46 pm said: Indeed. Jane: I ask because we're doing the annual sowalong on the podcast where we're discussing growing houseplants from seed. The strappy, upright leaves grow from an underground rhizome. A Jill-of-all-trades, Lillian Downey is a certified Responsible Sexuality Educator, certified clinical phlebotomist and a certified non-profit administrator. You want to do this in the spring before the growing season starts. To prevent this, it’s important to select your planting location carefully. One unique thing about the Cast Iron plant, when grown indoors , is that you should water it with filtered water. It is also known as a ballroom or iron plant. The Cast Iron plant is a hardy houseplant and in some regions, it is a perennial favorite. Seeds are not available to purchase. This is a plant that will thrive in conditions that are unacceptable to most kinds of plant. Aspidistra elatior dislikes having its roots disturbed very often. The spots on the leaves turn from tan to red-brown and may have a bright yellow ring around them. Dig a hole roughly twice the size of the root clump and place the roots in the hole. Similarly, transplant indoor-grown Aspidistra into a new pot when the plant is actively growing in spring or early summer. The plant can survive even the most extreme conditions so it is great for those that do not have a lot of time to take care of plants. It is used as training material for the seika form of ikebana. Aspidistra, known as the cast iron plant, has a strange distinction from most other plants. The Cast Iron plants do not seem to be bothered by insects except mealy bugs or spider mites. It is in leaf all year, in flower from January to April. Cast Iron Plant is prone to a variety of diseases, including: Hi, my name is Victoria and I´m the owner and main author of hobby plants. While aspidistra survives in most types of soil, you'll get the best looking plant in poor soil. Aspidistra seed Posted on March 29, 2014 by Plant Delights Nursery While cutting back winter damaged cast iron plants in the garden, we discovered a nice seed crop on Aspidistra … Welcome to our Aspidistra / Cast Iron Plant photo gallery. Choose heavily worked, acidic, loamy soil if possible. 4:09. Since then it has gone in and out of fashion. The Cast Iron plant grows best in a 10 inch pot. Dark Evergreen leaves emerge from the ground that are 4-5” wide. It is also known as a ballroom or iron plant. Fertilize no more than once per season, in early summer, for the most vibrant foliage. A tough foliage plant for foundation plantings or interior use. When we began collecting Cast Iron Plants in the early 1990s, only a handful of species were known (16 species only known to exist in 1980). If it is not taken care of, it will spread and kill the plant. It needs full shade and really cannot take any direct sun as this will scorch the leaves and cause them to turn brown. 1. When the Cast Iron plant matures, it will have reached the height of about two feet and leaves 24 inches long. You can also separate the stems from the roots and repot them to grow other plants. This is the most common form of the Cast Iron Plant that you are likely to find, with large and shiny dark green leaves growing to over 20 inches in length. For this reason, aspidistra as been a popular shade garden and houseplant since the Victorian era. However, since it’s known as a “folk” plant, it’s not always readily available in nurseries. You really have to look to find them. This plant… It is hardy to zone (UK) 7. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can spray the leaves that are affected with Neem oil. Sturdy and easy to grow, matures to 1 ½’ tall by 1’-3’ wide. To produce the most colorful leaves and the hardiest plants outdoors, aspidistra needs poor, dry soil in a shady location in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 through 10. If the problem continues, you may have to transfer the plant into another pot with new soil. I've never seen Aspidistra seed. Aspidistra plants propagate by division. You can also use a soapy mixture to lightly spray the leaves. This little known species of cast iron plant from a Crug Farm collection in Taiwan, produces 28" x … Central Phoenix -- Aspidistra elatior is not a plant that would spring to mind when you think of things to grow in the desert. The Indoor Garden TV show 25,164 views. The Cast Iron plant thrives well in organic soil and a yearly dose of all-purpose fertilizer, in the spring before the new growth period begins. For todays post I wanted to share the process of repotting a vintage plant that I've had in my family for over 30 years! Once a very popular houseplant it was a common feature of many a Victorian hallway, although its popularity has faded slightly since this period and is now less common in modern homes. 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