Iron Plant – Aspidistra elatior

Common Name: Cast-Iron Plant, Iron Plant

Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior, as-pi-DIS-tra e-LAY-tee-or

Decorative Life: Many months to years.

Availability: Year Round

• Member of the Liliaceae (lily family).
• Native to China.
• Relatives include asparagus, lily-of-the-valley, daylily and hyacinth.

• Classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined.
• Leaves (mostly green) sword-shaped, arching, to 30 inches long and 4 inches wide, on stalks forming clumps. ‘Variegata’ leaves have white stripes.

Chill sensitive, store above 55F.

• Aspidistra: Greek for small round shields in reference to the shape of the flower’s stigma (female part of flowers where pollen lands and germinates).
• The common name cast-iron plant comes from its ability to withstand difficult growing conditions. It therefore makes a good interior plant.
• The specific epithet name elatior means taller.
• Will survive in minimal light, a good choice for that dark corner. Will generally do well in light levels at least bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort but more light would be better.
• With over 3000 species, the lily family includes many medicinal and food species in addition to ornamental species.