Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

A Cast Iron Plant, native to China, is an almost indestructible, easy-care plant that survives where other houseplants quickly die. Water it or forget to water it, good light or poor light, warm room or cold room, the Cast Iron Plant survives. A Cast Iron Plant is a rather plain plant with 2ft. long, pointed, course textured, leathery leaves that emerge directly from the soil. The variegated varieties of a Cast Iron Plant have a cream-colored stripe down each of the leaves that reverts to solid green in very low light.

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: Bright light to full sun

CARE INSTRUCTIONS WATER: Water thoroughly then allow top 2 in (5 cm) to dry out before watering again. Put it in a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. Cardboard palm grows the most spring through fall, so cut back on water in the winter months.

HUMIDITY: Average to low humidity

TEMPERATURE: Average room temperature 60-75°F/16-24°C year-round. It's cold-hardy down to 25°F/-1°C, but prefers to be warm.

SOIL: Equal parts good-quality potting mix and sand for good drainage.

FERTILIZER: Feed once in spring and again in summer with a time-release fertilizer.

PROPAGATION: Buy good-quality seeds. Any seeds collected from a mature plant are not fertile unless they are cross-pollinated. Seeds are slow to germinate and seedlings are slow-growing. Be patient, it'll take years for them to grow tall. These seeds are poisonous and can be lethal to pets.