Glossy, leathery leaves rising straight from the soil, and a toughness that earned it its name: it copes with low light, draughts and erratic watering. Its flowers hide at soil level.

What it does for you

Aspidistras are among the easiest houseplants to grow: they cope with low light, erratic watering and changing temperatures, hence the name cast-iron plant¹. That makes it a plant for a dark corner or a draughty hallway, and it can live for many years¹. Its glossy, dark green, leathery leaves grow up to 60 cm long^2,1.

Origin & history

In the wild it grows in southern Japan, mainly in the subtropics⁴; MBG also names China⁵, a Zurich database Taiwan and the southern Japanese islands⁶. It is the cast-iron or bar room plant of the Victorian era, and many dark Victorian homes were decorated with it⁷. Bar room plant refers to its ability to withstand spittoonish conditions⁸.

The genus name comes from the Greek aspidion, a shield⁵.

Caution

The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic for cats and dogs⁹; a University of Zurich veterinary database rates it as presumably non-toxic, having found no evidence of toxicity in the literature⁶. The Minnesota Poison Control System lists it as non-toxic for people, but notes that any plant may cause unexpected reactions in some people, including choking¹⁰.

Care

The RHS guide covers aspidistras in general; this species is the most widely sold.

Light. Ideally low or filtered light, well away from direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. In very poor light it grows more slowly, and variegated leaves may turn plain green¹. MBG: best in bright indirect light; direct sun bleaches the leaves⁵.

Water. Water regularly from spring to autumn: moist, never waterlogged, as soggy compost can rot the roots. In winter a little less, but don't let it dry out completely¹. As a rule of thumb, about once a week in summer.

Temperature & humidity. Happiest at 5–20 °C, in a fairly cool room away from heat sources; it copes with draughts and changing temperatures and is fine in the fairly dry air of normal homes¹. MBG gives a winter minimum of 10 °C⁵.

Soil, pot & repotting. It grows slowly and can stay in its pot for several years, until roots appear through the drainage holes. Then repot in spring into a pot only slightly larger, in equal parts peat-free loam-based and peat-free multi-purpose compost¹.

Feeding. A general-purpose houseplant feed monthly from spring to late summer¹.

Extras

The inconspicuous flowers may appear at soil level, but usually not on houseplants⁵. Florists value the leaves¹¹: in arrangements they last a month or longer⁷. 'Variegata' has leaves striped in creamy white¹.