Cast Iron Plant

Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior

As its common name suggests, Cast Iron Plant is tough. It will survive low light, infrequent watering and extreme heat that would be deadly to most plants.

In fact, it practically thrives on neglect. Don't overwater -- it doesn't like soggy soil. And don't repot it very often -- it doesn't like to be disturbed. Respect its Greta Garbo attitude and it will do just fine.

This plant grows slowly in a clump of 6-inch (15 cm) stems with glossy, dark-green leaves growing 24 inches (60 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide. Small, unattractive, purplish-brown flowers may appear at the plant's base in spring. But, don't expect them. Flowers don't appear often, and they're hardly noticeable.

You can keep its shiny leaves clean by wiping them with a damp cloth. It won't really mind the dust, but you might.

Cast Iron Plant is evergreen and makes a beautiful, easy-care house plant year-round. Best of all, you'll enjoy it for many years.

Origin: China

Height: Up to 3 feet (90 cm).

Light: Moderate to low light. No direct sun. Direct sunlight can cause brown scorched marks on leaves.

Water: In spring and summer, water thoroughly, but allow soil to dry out between waterings. Water less in fall and winter. Yellow leaves are often a sign of overwatering.

Humidity: Average humidity. Will tolerate dry air, but keep plant out of drafts.

Temperature: Adaptable to changing temperatures ranging from 50-85°F, 10-29°C

Soil: Any all-purpose potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Divide in spring only when it gets overcrowded in its pot. A slow-grower, it probably won't need divided more often than every 5 years. It's best to remove new shoots (with roots attached) and pot them separately than to repot an old plant.