Planting and Growing the Iron Plant

The iron plant is known by the names bar-room plant, cast-iron plant, or the Aspidistra elatior. A member of the lily family that originated in China, it is a perennial evergreen that is easy to grow and drought tolerant. It is good for container gardening, indoor use with containers or hanging baskets, and shady spots in the landscape under trees.

Description of Aspidistra elatior

The iron plant has long lance-shaped leaves that are 12 to 20 inches in length on average. They are dark green in color and leathery in texture, with some being variegated. Variegation in the leaves for an iron plant can be interesting. They can be streaked or dotted with color variation. The plant does flower, but the flowers are so small and inconsequential they aren’t worth growing for the blooms. It is mainly a useful foliage plant.

Growth of Cast-Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior grows in clumps with tough roots that are rhizomes. Planting specifics for it should be a fertile soil that is well worked. It should be fed with fertilizer during active growth but if planted in poor soil with no addition to the soil it will still grow fine. Lighting should be moderate to deep shade because full sun will stress the plant and make it appear washed-out. It grows hardy in USDA zones of 7 through 10. Propagation of the iron plant is by dividing the clumps in the spring and transplanting.

Using Iron Plant in the Landscape

Iron plant leaves can be used in floral arrangements as they last longer than most and makes a nice change from the standard baby’s breath and fern fronds. It can be a good container plant and placed on decks and patios or used as a houseplant out of a window spot. Hanging baskets are good on a deck with an iron plant draping down. Landscaping with the iron plant can be done around trees or as a border plant. Wherever there is dim lighting and poor soil, iron plant makes a good choice to make it appear like a fertile area of the yard.

The iron plant was named for its ability to be a tough one to kill. While it is a good addition to any drought tolerant garden, it can be used well as a backdrop to a flower garden with light and airy blooms. Pairing it under oak trees or any decorative shade trees will really make the landscape pop with texture.