Howard

Aspidistra

Cast iron plant; Bar room plant; Aspidistra Elatior

• 
  Most light conditions
• 
  Almost unkillable

• Howard likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    He’s very tolerant of irregular watering, let his soil dry out completely before giving him a drink.

  • 
    Most light conditions

    He’s maybe the least fussy plant you’ll meet. He’ll deal with almost any light level (he’s not mad on strong sunshine).

  • 
    Humidity

    Keep his leaves green and lush, and avoid brown tips, by giving him a mist every few days.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Aspidistra Elatior

  Nickname

  Cast Iron Plant; Bar Room Plant

  Plant type

  Indoor

  Air purifying

  Yes

  Plant height (including pot)

  40-50cm; 60-70cm; 90-100cm

  Pet/baby safe

  Yes

  Nursery pot size

  13cm; 17cm; 21cm

• About Cast Iron Plants

  Aspidistra are sometimes known as the Cast Iron Plant because they’re almost impossible to kill. They’re practically bomb-proof (we have not tested this). If you forget to water yours, give it a dark spot and just generally forget it exists for a bit, it will merrily make do on its own.

  They’ve built up that tolerance for poor conditions by growing in the shade under larger trees in China and Vietnam. Their resilience has made them an extremely popular houseplant, because anybody can care for one. If you’re just beginning your plant parenting journey, there’s no better starting point. You’d have to try weirdly hard to kill him (don’t try).

  Did you know?

  The aspidistra was massively popular in Victorian times, because it easily tolerated the poor light and air quality of 19th century homes.