Growing decorative plants in the home has been going on for many years. People enjoyed the living beauty that plants bring. One plant that has been growing in homes for just as long is the 'Cast Iron Plant', (Aspidistra elatior) This very easy to grow, attractive plant, is native to China, and will grow almost anywhere, which may be one of the reasons that it was a popular houseplant throughout the years. Named 'Cast Iron Plant' because it is such a tough plant and will tolerate all kinds of conditions. It is a good plant for the office or home where it may not get a lot of attention. It tolerates low humidity, low light, heat, cold, dust, and neglect and will still survive. It will grow in low to bright light but keep it out of the direct sun. Although it will survive if you forget to water it on time it does not like to be overwatered. Allow the soil to go dry between waterings. When the top of the soil feels dry give it a thorough watering, draining away any excess water, after a few minutes. It will need to be watered more often in the spring/summer when it is actively growing, and less in the fall/winter when the plant is not growing. Fertilize monthly with an all purpose 20-20-20 during the spring/summer months and every 8-10 weeks in the fall/winter. It prefers regular house temperatures but will tolerate cooler room temperatures of 10-15 Celsius, so will do well in a cooler part of the home but keep it out of drafts. There is very little pests or disease that will bother it.
The Cast Iron plant is grown for its attractive foliage, which is sometimes used in fresh floral arrangements. Each leaf grows on a 15-20 cm long green stem that comes from the soil. The shiny, dark green leaves are long and broad, growing 50-60 cm long and 8-10 cm wide. Although, it can bloom, the blooms are hard to find as they grow on top of the soils surface, and they bloom very rarely. Cast Iron plants are long-lived, slow growing plants so it will take some patience to have a large plant. They will grow 50-60 cm tall and wide.
There is very little maintenance to a Cast Iron Plant. Only re-pot every 4-5 years if it is necessary as they do not grow very quickly, and do not like to be re-potted too often. The Cast Iron plant is grown from rhizomes and are propagated by splitting the plant and re-planting the divisions, making sure that each piece has several leaves.
If you are one of those people who enjoy having the plants in the home but have a hard time keeping them alive, then the Cast Iron plant could be the plant for you. This old time favourite may become a favourite of yours!
