What You Need To Know Before You Buy A Cast Iron Plant
If you’ve decided to buy a Cast Iron Plant, or Aspidistra elatior, you’re already on the right path! Because these verdant statement plants are highly resilient (we’re talking tough as nails) and super-adaptable to varied levels of light, you really don’t have too much to worry about. But all living plants have some requirements for care, and Cast Iron Plants in particular also have a lot of great attributes that will get you extra-excited to bring one home! So read on, and learn all you need to know before you buy a Cast Iron Plant.
Your Cast Iron Plant will be a perfect match for low light spaces
The Cast Iron Plant gets its illustrative name because of its incredibly hardy and resilient nature. But it’s also colloquially known as the “Bar-room plant.” Can you guess why? That’s right: it’s because Cast Iron Plants love to relax in the shadows. Native to shaded rainforests in China and Japan, the Cast Iron Plant has evolved to thrive in low light conditions. This unique characteristic makes it an ideal choice for areas in your home that receive low natural light, like hallways and bathrooms.
But it will also thrive in medium to bright indirect light
Cast Iron Plants are most renowned for their ability to flourish in low-light spaces, but they also do well in environments that receive medium to bright, indirect light. The most important thing to remember is that they will not tolerate being scorched, so if they are placed in a room that receives a lot of natural light, they need to be kept at least a few feet from windows, and the temperature must be steady. The combination of strong, direct light and heat will cause their foliage to sunburn. Note that Cast Iron Plants kept in spots that receive bright, indirect light will utilize the water they receive at a quicker rate, as they’ll be photosynthesizing more rapidly. More light = more water, and the opposite is true as well.
Cast Iron Plant growth is slow and steady
When it comes to living plants, the rate of growth is directly related to the amount of light that they receive. This means that plants in lower light environments grow at a slower rate than those that sit in sunny spots, photosynthesizing all the live-long day. But the slower growth rate of low-light plants can be a really great thing! It means that repotting will be required far less frequently, and it makes the buying experience much more simple: you can buy a plant that you love the size of, and be confident that it will maintain that size for a significant period of time. When it comes to Cast Iron Plants, they generally do not exceed about three feet in height indoors, so buying a fully grown, large Cast Iron Plant is the perfect way to invest in a plant that you love the look of- because it will more or less stay that way.
It’s important not to overwater your Cast Iron Plant
Overwatering is the number one cause of ill health in indoor plants, and it’s important to avoid it with your Cast Iron Plant. These hardy evergreen varieties simply don’t need very much water. This is due in large part to the fact that they are happiest in fairly low light. In low light environments, plants utilize the water they receive at a slower rate. The same rule of thumb is true for humans and plants: you probably need more hydration during a day at the beach than you do during a movie marathon in the dark. Your Cast Iron Plant needs water only when its soil is dry, so plan on gauging its soil manually once a week, by sticking your fingers two inches down into its soil. Provide 1-2 cups of water only when the soil is entirely dry to the touch, and don’t be surprised if it only needs water every two weeks or so. You can also use a moisture meter as a convenient way of gauging your Cast Iron Plant’s moisture levels. These simple tools reflect a blue window when soil is moist, and a white window when soil is dry and your plant is ready for water.
But overwatering can be corrected
Overwatering happens. And there are many reasons your Cast Iron Plant may become overwatered: perhaps you had a house sitter, or you gave your Cast Iron Plant the same amount of water as its neighboring plant buddies. But there’s no need to panic: overwatered Cast Iron Plants can be rehabilitated. The key is to allow their soil to dry out as soon as possible. So when you’ve identified your Cast Iron Plant as being overwatered, pull it out of its ceramic pot right away, while keeping it in its plastic nursery pot. Allow the soil in the plastic nursery pot to dry out almost entirely before placing it back in the ceramic, and begin your watering routine anew. Only this time, water it only when its top two inches of soil are entirely dry to the touch, and no more than two cups of water at a time. Use a moisture meter for extra support, and don’t be surprised if it reads as “moist” for a long time. Remember: less light = a less thirsty plant.
Cast Iron Plants are non-toxic and safe for homes with pets and kids
Ah, the pet-safe, indoor tropical plant. If you think that they’re a bit hard to find, you’re right! Many tropical plants have some degree of toxicity. It’s simply an evolutionary trait acquired to deter animals from feasting on them. But the Cast Iron Plant is an exception to the rule: it is entirely non-toxic and safe for pets, children and anyone else who might be tempted to eat a houseplant. If you have a curious critter at home, this is a huge boon. It’s almost as if nature decided to cut us all some slack when it created the Cast Iron Plant!
Your Cast Iron Plant has a (good!) reputation
Cast Iron Plants are considered to be auspicious in the feng shui tradition. They are believed to ward off bad luck and protect homes from negative energy. Hey, we’ll take it! And if that’s not enough, consider this: Cast Iron Plants are scientifically proven potent air purifiers that convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and remove harmful chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde from the air. Pet safe, lucky, and air purifiers? We’re officially in the Cast Iron club.
Where to place your Cast Iron Plant
Because Cast Iron Plants are wonderfully flexible, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from for plant placement. The most important tenets to consider are keeping your new plant safe from harsh, direct light (which can be avoided by ensuring it’s around three feet from windows that receive direct sunlight) and safeguarding your Cast Iron Plant from overwatering. If you like to water all of your plants in one go, it will be best to place your Cast Iron Plant away from any plants that require large amounts of water, so that you won’t run the risk of giving it an overdose that might be a perfect amount for a different plant species. Unsure of what sort of light your space receives? Consult our light guide. It’s illustrated, informative and will help you make sure that all your plants are situated in the perfect spot!
How to select a thriving, gorgeous Cast Iron Plant
When you’re ready to buy your new Cast Iron Plant, there are a few things to look at as you pick the perfect specimen. Begin by carefully inspecting its overall foliage. A thriving, healthy Cast Iron Plant will be vibrantly colored and will not have yellowing leaves or leaves that appear floppy or exhausted. (Yellowing foliage is a frequent sign of overwatering in Cast Iron Plants, and we know you want to avoid that!) Your Cast Iron Plant’s leaves should be deeply emerald colored and firm, and its stems should have good posture and a healthy texture. Additionally, check the Cast Iron Plant’s soil. It should not be soaking wet!
Avoid purchasing your Cast Iron Plant from a garden center
There are a handful of reasons that it’s not only advisable, but essential to purchase your new plant from a premium grower.
All living plants react to the care that they receive and the environment that they are in. And while garden centers and home improvement stores offer plants at low prices, it is almost impossible to know the plant care routines that these businesses have in place. It is common for garden centers to use a one-size-fits-all approach with their plants, and although it seems convenient, treating all plants in the same way is just not conducive to their health.
Purchasing your Cast Iron Plant from a premium grower will help ensure that it has been kept in appropriate light (as they are sensitive to scorching rays of direct sunlight) and that they are watered correctly. A Cast Iron Plant purchased from a garden center is likely to have been watered just as much as the plants next to it, no matter what species they might be- and that can mean your new plant becoming wildly overwatered.
There is also the wonderful (but perilous) world of bugs to consider. Insects have a habit of hopping from plant to plant- so if you cannot guarantee that the business you’re buying your Cast Iron Plant from treats pests both prophylactically and as needed, there is a chance of bringing a pest-ridden Cast Iron Plant into your space, where they can then spread to your other plants.
And finally, Cast Iron Plants are hardy, but no plant loves transport. There are so many factors at play when it comes to moving a plant from Point A to Point B: fluctuations in light, the risk of structural and foliage damage, and the risk of stress from temperature changes and forced air from A.Cs. Going to the extra mile to ensure the safe transit of your new Cast Iron Plant will pay dividends. Let the experts do the work, and buy your new Cast Iron Plant from a company that either locally delivers plants by hand or utilizes plant-specific, custom engineered and insulated packaging.
Even the healthiest Cast Iron Plant can experience stress from time to time
It takes a lot to upset a Cast Iron Plant, but stumbles can happen on any plant parenthood journey. The good news? Every plant purchased from Léon & George comes with lifelong access to our Plant Doctor service: a team of horticultural experts that are here to offer assessments, suggest tips and adjustments, and generally support you as you care for your plants. There’s no catch: no fees are required. Free, lifelong access to the Plant Doctor service is just one of the ways that we work together to green up the world and ensure that every Léon & George plant is designed to thrive.
We’ve compiled a list of common problems that Cast Iron Plants can face, as well as helpful guidance for assessing your plant’s health. Informed and supported plant parents are the key to our success! Click here to learn more about how to care for and grow your Cast Iron Plant.
Shop The Vibrant, Easy Care Cast Iron Plant From
Léon & George
A gorgeous, low-maintenance statement plant with verdant emerald foliage and an easy care disposition, the Cast Iron Plant is low light tolerant, non-toxic and renowned as an interior design and feng shui favorite.