Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ass-pih-DIS-trah eh-LAY-tee-or
- Description
-
Evergreen, rhizomatous perennial reaching up to 2' in upright clumps. Good specimen for planting in dense shade; this plant is resistant to damage by deer and is slightly salt tolerant. An evergreen "hosta substitute"; Excellent for low light areas as well as indoors in pots. There are some variegated cultivars. Called barroom plant because of its ability to withstand spittoonish conditions, iron plant due to its ability to withstand neglect. Utilized in exterior landscapes down south.
Prefers partial to full shade, intolerant of direct sun; needs rich, well-drained soil; drought tolerant, water regularly spring to autumn, during droughts, sparingly in winter; needs shelter from winter winds; no serious pest problems.
Quick ID Hints:
- Erect, gigantic, coriaceous leaves with parallel** venations
- Evergreen ground cover, it spreads by rhizomes
- Petioles 7"-12" long, hosta-like leaves
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Shade Garden Coastal Shady Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Asahi
White, air-brushed tips - China star
Heavily speckled 8 to 10' long by 2.5' wide leaves - 'Variegata'
- Asahi
- Asahi, China star, 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Asahi
White, air-brushed tips - China star
Heavily speckled 8 to 10' long by 2.5' wide leaves - 'Variegata'
- Asahi
- Asahi, China star, 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aspidistra
- Species:
- elatior
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Basal, erect, long-petiolate, solitary, gigantic, ovate to lanceolate, acute, entire, glabrous with 16-20 parallel veins, coriaceous, dark green to reddish-purple to variegated; 20"-24".
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Salt
