Photo of Aspidistra minutiflora foliage by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Aspidistra minutiflora

Also Known As

  • Aspidistra linearifolia
  • Cast Iron Plant
  • Cast Iron Plant

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

  • H: 18"-30"
  • W: 18"-30"

planting zones

  • 8a-12

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Aspidistra minutiflora plant details

Aspidistra minutiflora is a broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover with green, variegated and white foliage. In spring tan flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. 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 minutiflora

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen green, variegated and white
Mature size: 18 IN - 30 IN - wide, 18 IN - 30 IN - tall
Flowers: tan blooms in spring
Uses: clumping, spotted leaves, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Aspidistra minutiflora

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

This Aspidistra has narrow leaves that are bright to dark green and heavily speckled with golden spots. The peculiar flowers are blue-green, speckled with purple and appear just at soil level. Cast iron plants are an easy house plant famous for tolerating dark, indoor positions. They are also hardy in coastal BC and make great plantings in shade with overhead protection from evergreens or eaves.
One of the more intriguing of the cast iron plants, a genus on which we have become rather fixated, this with very narrow leaves, to 30?? tall and only 1/2 to 1?? wide, of deep green with a bit of silky blue overlay. Creates graceful clumps reasonably quickly in the woodland garden or in container where the nearly black stem sheaths can be easily observed for hours on end ... or at least a second or two. Enjoys ample summer moisture, though, as with other aspidistras, seems to accept being nearly moisture free in dark, cave-like spaces. A perfect addition under shrubs where other plants are not likely to thrive, or in dark entry gardens for instance. Frost hardy to the bottom of USDA zone 8. Has also been offered as Aspidistra linearifolia.

Gardening facts about Aspidistra minutiflora plant

How to Grow Aspidistra minutiflora

  • Sun Exposure

    • bright shade - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • variegated
    • white
    • green
  • Flower Color

    • tan
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glossy

See other plant types of Aspidistra for your garden

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
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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
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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
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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
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aka Old Glory Cast Iron Plant

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover

Zones

7b-12

Size

Height: 10"-15"

Width: 24"-36"

  • bright shade - shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Aspidistra typica 'Old Glory' foliage by Cistus Nursery
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More Options

+62 more Aspidistra
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