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HouseplantsHerbaceous Perennial

Aspidistra attenuata

tapering cast iron plant

A clump-forming, evergreen perennial with thick creeping rhizomes, and long, broadly lance-shaped glossy dark green leaves to 70cm long, sometimes with pale yellow spots. Purple-tinted yellow-white fleshy, star-shaped flowers may appear at the base of the plant in summer or autumn, followed by green berries. Although grown as a houseplant, it is a useful garden plant in mild areas, and is tolerant of shade and dry conditions

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Aspidistra are rhizomatous, evergreen perennials with upright, leathery, elliptic or lance-shaped leaves and inconspicuous brownish flowers borne on the rhizome
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

As a houseplant, grow in pots of peat-free, loam-based potting compost. Although shade tolerant, growth is best in bright, filtered light with a minimum temperature of 7°C. Water to keep compost lightly moist and apply a general liquid fertilser monthly from May to August. Outdoors grow in moist but well-drained, fertile, sandy loam with added leaf mould, in full or part shade with shelter. See houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and vine weevil larvae

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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