How to grow aspidistras

What are aspidistras?

Aspidistras have long been popular as houseplants – they’re among the easiest to grow and form a clump of tropical evergreen leaves up to 60cm (2ft) tall. Also known as cast-iron plants, due to their resilience and adaptability, aspidistras thrive without any special treatment, valiantly coping with low light, erratic watering and fluctuating temperatures. They’re a handsome, low-maintenance choice, ideal for a tricky spot such as a dark corner or draughty hallway, and they can even improve the air quality in your home.

Choosing aspidistras

There are several species and cultivars to choose from, but the most popular and reliable are:

• Aspidistraelatior – the most widely sold aspidistra, with pointed, dark green leaves up to 60cm (2ft) long
• Aspidistraelatior ‘Variegata’ – similar to the above, but with leaves irregularly striped with creamy-white

Both of these have an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which shows that our experts recommend them as reliable choices.

Buying aspidistras

Aspidistras are widely available from houseplant retailers. For buying tips, see our guides and video:

Buying: garden centre plants

Buying: mail order plants

How to choose healthy plants

Aspidistras usually grow quite slowly, so can be kept in their original pot for several years, until the roots start to appear through the drainage holes. They should then be repotted in spring:

• Choose a new container that is only slightly larger, to avoid overpotting
• Use a 50:50 mix of peat-free loam-based compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. and peat-free multi-purpose compost
• Position the plant in its new pot at the same level it was previously growing. Firm down the compost around the roots, then water well to settle the compost

See our tips on repotting houseplants:

How to repot a plant

Peat-free compost choices

Location

Aspidistras are renowned for coping in very poor light, where most other houseplants would curl up and die. But ideally they enjoy a position in low or filtered light, well away from direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. In very poor light, plants will grow more slowly and those with variegated

Variegated means having leaves or other plant parts with streaks, blotches or patches of different colours. Typically, these would be a combination of two colours, such as green and gold or green and white. leaves may revert to plain green. Aspidistras can also cope with draughty spots, such as near a front door.

Temperature

Aspidistras are happiest between 5–20°C (40–70°F), so a fairly cool room is ideal, away from heat sources. They can tolerate a bit more warmth in summer, if necessary. They can also cope well with fluctuating temperatures.

Watering

Although aspidistras can survive drying out occasionally, it’s best to water regularly throughout the growing season, from spring to autumn. Keep the compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. moist but never waterlogged

Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted. , as soggy compost can rot the roots. Reduce watering slightly in winter, but try not to let the compost dry out completely.

Humidity

Despite their tropical appearance, aspidistras don’t need humidity

The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor or overhead misting. – they are fine in the fairly dry air of typical homes.

Feeding

To boost growth, apply a general-purpose houseplant fertiliser monthly from spring to late summer.

No pruning or training is required. Simply remove any fading leaves to keep plants looking their best.

It’s easy to make new plants by dividing a large clump in spring. Cut through the thick fleshy rhizomes

Rhizomes are creeping swollen root-like structures that are actually adapted stems. Roots, stems with leaves and flowers are produced along its length. See plants such as Anemone nemorosa, bamboo, canna, border iris. , making sure each new section has several leaves. See our guide to dividing plants:

Perennials: dividing

Aspidistras are robust, resilient houseplants that can tolerate some neglect. They rarely suffer problems and can live for many years. Just take care not to overwater, as the roots can rot in waterlogged

Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted. compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. , and keep them out of bright light, which can cause the leaves to turn brown. Also check regularly for insects, including:

• mealybugs
• red spider mites – look for speckled or bleached leaves
• scale insects

How to help a poorly houseplant

Leaf damage on houseplants