Aspidistra Elatior - Care Advice

The Aspidistra has a long-standing reputation as one of the easiest plants to care for. Known as the Cast Iron Plant, it does what it says on the tin and will tolerate low light and erratic watering along with a good dose of neglect! Popular in late Victorian Britain, these plants were also known as Bar Plants as they withstood poor care, smoke-filled rooms and being brushed past in public houses. We recommend treating them a little better than this and in return they’ll thrive for years to come!

Light: Despite being able to tolerate low light very well, they will really thrive in a spot with a little morning sun. They’re not fans of strong, direct sunlight, so avoid a South facing window. Position your Cast Iron Plant pretty much anywhere else!

Water: Aspidistra are very forgiving and will tolerate infrequent watering. Allow the soil to dry out between watering and allow excess water to drain away to avoid letting the plant sit in water in its decorative pot. Check roughly every 2 weeks and if the pot feels light when picked up, give it a good drink.

Soil: A well-draining soil is essential as these plants don’t like to sit in too much moisture. Our Chunky Houseplant Mix is ideal and this contains nutrients which will support healthy growth too.

Temperature: General household temperature is fine. Aspidistra can tolerate temperatures as low as 7 degrees Celsius.

Nutrients: Feeding your houseplants isn't a must, but it can encourage healthy, strong growth and support plants on a cellular level. We recommend feeding every other time you water in the spring and summer months.

A few last notes; Give the leaves of your Aspidistra a clean with a damp cloth (or use our Leaf Love Spray!) to keep them dust free every time you water. These plants are non-toxic and so are safe to have around pets that might be tempted to nibble! New leaves will shoot up from the soil and we recommend re-potting your plant every couple of years to ensure the roots have access to water, oxygen and nutrients.