Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior
Common Name: Cast iron plant
Type of Plant: monocot: perennial
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape distinctive, clumping plant with large dark green leaves erect and arching outwards from a sturdy rhizome
Height 1-3'
Spread 3-5'
Growth Rate moderate
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors shade to partial shade ; tolerates deep shade
Soil thrives in moist acidic soils, tolerates most
Hardiness hardy (zones 4-9, 12-24); prefers shaded locations
 
Morphology:
Leaves broadly elliptic, grasslike (parallel veins), taper to sturdy 6-12" long petiole, dark green, glossy, blades 12-24" long, 3-4" wide
Flowers insignificant; borne at ground level, not visible – greenish brown, bell-shaped, 1/2" across, solitary
Fruit 1/4" berry
 
Propagation:
seed, division of clum p
 
Usage:
excellent small filler for distinctive foliage; use in deep shade locations, informal borders, container plants, forest or tropical style landscapes
 
Landscape Care:
Watering prefers regular, tolerates heavy, can withstand drought for brief periods
Fertilizing balanced in spring and summer
Pruning none; remove old leaves at base, wash off foliage
Pests/Diseases relatively free, mealybug and whitefly indoors
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: China
Family: Liliaceae

Notes:
 
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