the name cast iron plant is based on its ability to withstand abuse and neglect. it can tolerate poor conditions such as low light or dust. but it’s doing better with a bit of care – if you like to have a beautiful and healthy plant.
the best place to grow a cast iron plant is on a bright to light shaded position. a little bit of morning or evening sun will be tolerated. afternoon sun can bleach it’s leaves. if placed to dark it could produce smaller leaves sitting on the ground.
from spring to fall in can be placed in the garden or on the balcony. but make sure that rainwater can easily flow out of the pot.
a regular potting soil or a mix with some sand (3:1) can be used. keep it evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause rot. allow the soil’s surface to dry between the waterings. but don’t let it dry out in complete.
if the plants are in grow (from spring to fall), a half concentrated water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly. new bought or recently repotted cast iron plants don’t need to be feeded for the first six to eight weeks.
the cast iron plant can be cultivated at room temperature throughout the year. but a colder place during winter (5-10 °c, 41-50 °f) is more like in its natural habitat. then it needs less watering and no fertilizer.
are the members of the genus aspidistra hardy?
yes and no. some species can tolerate frost (-14 °c/6.8 °f) for a short time. if the rhizome is planted deep enough, it will survive, but the leaves die off. thereafter, the plants need several months until they show new ones. the stalks of some species lose their stability if freezing and will bend in light wind.
sensitive to frost are:
- aspidistra lurida
- aspidistra patentiloba
- aspidistra sp. “singapore sling”
propagation
the cast iron plant can be propagated by division. the cuttings should have a minium of two leaves.