Aspidistra elatior is a shade - loving , exceedingly hardy plant . Nicknamed the " cast smoothing iron " industrial plant for its toughness , this evergreen perennial is worthy for its ability to mature in the shade and even survive long periods of drought . In fact , its ability to grow in very low light experimental condition is unexcelled , according to Edward F. Gilman , a plantsman with the University of Florida . For these intellect , the iron plant requires very little attention and it is often develop as a houseplant .
Climate
aboriginal to China , this evergreen plant repeated prefers temperate to tropical mood , with nerveless winters and meek or hot summers . Grow the cast iron works outdoors in United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Hardiness Zones 7 through 11 . In colder locating , Aspidistra elatior can be acquire as a houseplant , or grown outside in a container during the summer and brought indoors before the first voiceless frost .
Location
These stout plants can uprise in almost any type of soil and even in time of drought . One thing cast iron plants are susceptible to , however , is winter winds . insensate , drying winds can make a condition prognosticate " winterburn , " which strips the moisture from the leaf , turning the edges and lead brown . These can be crop away and the plant will go back easily , but it is best to localize Aspidistra elatior in a posture where it will be sheltered from these breaking wind in the first place .
Light
Aspidistra elatior is one of few plant that aboveboard thrives even in cryptical shade . Although it will grow in the Sunday , the plant will become weak and lose its colouring material . constitute the iron works under a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or in a basket that will be direct on a porch that is tramp in shade .
Soil
The cast iron plant thrives in almost any case of soil , include very poor soil . Still , most cultivars favour loose , loamy soil fertile in constituent matter . Well - draining soil is also a must , as water - saturated soil can guide to source rot . piece of work peat moss and nutrient - ample mulch , such as leaf mold , into the dirt around your plant . observe that variegated cultivar of the works actually prefer soil that has depressed nutrient . The lack of minerals pee the variegation more detectable .
Problems
branding iron plant are rarely bother by insect pests , agree to Mr. Gilman , but they can suffer from folio spot disease . Leaf spot disease are stimulate by various kingdom Fungi that trip on water . When water that contains fungous spores sits on the wide leaves of the plant life for a point of metre , those spores can bug out to reproduce , and the fungus will taint the leaves , leaving unattractive lesions that can range in color from bright orange tree to a dark , greasy white-haired color . Water from below , not above , to keep the leaves as dry as potential , and spray the plant life with a antimycotic agent if the transmission is severe .
