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    • Photo of Aspidistra elatior foliage by Fantastic Plants

    Photo by Fantastic Plants

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Aspidistra elatior

    Also Known As

    • Cast Iron Plant

    Plant type

    perennial, groundcover

    size

    • H: 2'-3'
    • W: 1'-3'

    planting zones

    • 8a-12

    More Options

    Aspidistra elatior plant details

    Aspidistra elatior is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover with green foliage. In spring black, cream and purple flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Aspidistra elatior

    Plant type: perennial groundcover
    Plant family: asparagaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
    Flowers: black, cream and purple blooms in spring
    Uses: container plant, woodland garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Aspidistra elatior

    USDA Zones: 8a - 12
    Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Aspidistra elatior, or Cast Iron Plant, is a sturdy, long lasting perennial with dark green, arching foliage. Forms dense clumps of evergreen foliage. Small, cream to dark purple bell-shaped flowers grow at soil level. An easy care plant that is great in deep shade landscape or can adapt as a houseplant. Once established, it needs only occasional watering. Fertilize in spring and summer.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    Broad tropical foliage 'twists' its way up from the ground. Evergreen leaves grow to 2' tall or more, and add a lush texture to any landscape. Excellent in dry spots and under difficult conditions. Awards: Award of Garden Merit.

    By: Fantastic Plants

    This is an old, reliable, tough plant for pots or beds in shady areas, or indoors. It is an evergreen perennial with large, tall leaves, to 30" long by 5" wide, which are much used in floral arrangements as they are long-lasting. It spreads slowly from rhizomes. Few people ever see the royal-purple I" blooms, as they appear in summer, at ground level, and are buried in the mulch.

    By: Almost Eden

    Cast iron plant. A standard house plant for eons -- in dark British apartment buildings from Victorian times -- and often used for a tropical touch in southern and western gardens especially in areas seemingly too shady or too dark for anything but slime molds. 6" broad, 3' or more long, shiny dark green leaves with 1", nearly black flowers held against the ground -- a little scary looking and earning the name in China, evil spider egg plant. Despite their usefulness, they are slow to divide and should be kept evenly moist especially along the west Coast where growth is slower due to cooler nights. A very long lived and nearly indestructible container plant. Frost hardy in USDA zone 8; zone 7 with protection.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Aspidistra elatior plant

    How to Grow Aspidistra elatior

    • Sun Exposure

      • bright shade - shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • cream
      • purple
      • black

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

    See other plant types of Aspidistra for your garden

    Aspidistra elatior 'Asahi'

    aka Cast Iron Plant, Morning Sun Cast Iron Plant

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    8a-12

    Size

    Height: 18"-25"

    Width: 12"-30"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Aspidistra elatior 'Asahi' foliage by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    Aspidistra hainanensis 'Jade Ribbons'

    aka Aspidistra caespitosa 'Jade Ribbons', Jade Ribbons Cast Iron Plant

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    8a-12

    Size

    Height: 18"-24"

    Width: 18"-28"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Aspidistra hainanensis 'Jade Ribbons' foliage by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    Aspidistra elatior 'Big Bang'

    aka Big Bang Bar Room Plant, Big Bang Cast Iron Plant

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    8a-12

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 1'-3'

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Aspidistra elatior 'Big Bang' foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    Aspidistra minutiflora

    aka Aspidistra linearifolia, Cast Iron Plant, Cast Iron Plant

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    8a-12

    Size

    Height: 18"-30"

    Width: 18"-30"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Aspidistra minutiflora foliage by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    More Options

    Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Spotty'

    aka Aspidistra tonkinensis 'Spotty', Spotty Cast Iron Plant

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    7b-12

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 1'-3'

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Spotty' foliage by Joshua McCullough
    View Plant

    More Options

    +62 more Aspidistra
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