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Aspidistra has a curious position in history , but only a few species are well - make love among garden enthusiasts .
Bearing the “ cast atomic number 26 plant ” nickname due to their ability to withstand uttermost abuse , these plants are a prime exemplar of how the genus got its name , which think of “ shield - like . ”
There ’s one story of several ‘ Milky Way ’ specimens pull round a greenhouse fire !
While Aspidistras is aboriginal to southeastern Asia , most casting - atomic number 26 plant are from China , Vietnam , Taiwan , and Japan .
A member of the Asparagaceae folk , botanic interestingness in aspidistras did n’t uprise until the 1980s when they initiate becoming increasingly popular as houseplants .
There are somewhere between 93 and nearly 200 identified species at this time , with many mayhap being strain of each other .
However , currently , only one species is commonly relate to as the cast Fe plant , applies to Aspidistra elatior .
In addition to its many cultivar , specific cultivars from at least two other specie ( Aspidistra lurida and Aspidistra yingjiangensis ) are also referred to as cast iron plants , even though their parent plants do n’t share the name .
Cast Iron Plant Uses
Aspidistra plants love the shade and suffer everything from mottled sunlight to full shadowiness .
As a result , spew atomic number 26 is often used for meet in low - light spaces that few other plants can handle , such as the space underneath a deck .
The plants may also be grow in pots and treat indoor living quite well , making them arrant for hall , bars , taverns , or offices .
Of of course , they still demand a little light , but you may go on a long holiday , and chance are your cast iron plant will still be alive and well when you get home .
List Of Varieties With Brief Descriptions
Not all aspidistras bear the name of cast smoothing iron plant , but of the few coinage and cultivar that do , you could be sure of an almost fool - trial impression flora .
If you thought aloe vera was impossible to kill , check out out these democratic case of cast iron plant that can all make aloe face flimsy in compare .
Aspidistra Elatior
Aspidistra elatior aka “ cast Iron plant”native to Taiwan and southern Japan , this flora is the one most think of when discover the name “ cast branding iron plant . ”
Sometimes bear on to as the barroom plant , this hardy species grows up to 2′ feet tall and about as wide .
They ’ve earned their name because they can handle a lot of neglect and still thrive .
The mintage is amazingly stale hardy and can be grow outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 7b to 11 .
Their blooms only tend to appear outdoors and are small ointment and majestic flowers that come along near the foundation of the flora ,
One of the few things this works is susceptible to is a fungal contagion , and a 2018 study produced grounds that these plants use fungus gnat as their primary pollinator .
Of of course , you do n’t want to encourage fungus gnats , so it ’s promiscuous ( and more efficient ) to propagate through division .
stalwart , able to raise in deep shade and bear attractive green leave with a plentiful grain , has plenty to eff with this species .
Aspidistra Elatior ‘Asahi’
Unusual and quite striking , there ’s little doubt how this cultivar get its name .
Asahi ( あさ translate to あさ ( as a = morning ) , 日 ( hi = day or sun ) , which attractively discover how this plant ’s 30″ inch long leaves set out as full brown , then go through a stunning “ first light ” as the growing season continues .
It begins as a sliver of white forming along with the primal leaf on the upper third of the leaf , lento spread until the top third is pure white .
The stunning display will last throughout the winter .
As with other cultivar , this cast Fe flora keep all the hardiness of its parent plant and may be acquire outside in USDA hardiness zone 7 to 10 .
However , this cultivar is also notoriously stubborn when uprise in pots .
check that it get a wide enough container , as its beginning need a mess of extra space , and it wo n’t get its white marking if the roots feel cramped .
Aspidistra Elatior ‘Okame’ And Aspidistra Elatior ‘Variegata’
Out of the twopopular variegatedcast iron cultivarson the market , ‘ Okame ’ is a Chinese conception known for its attractive white stripe , which start the duration of the leafage , while ‘ Variegata ’ has emollient - colored grade insignia that may also have hints of lime or yellow .
The two cultivar are so standardised that some growers view them the same flora while others count them separately .
Whether you think them one or two cultivars , the stripes on both can vary significantly in width , making each leaf unique .
Both may be grown outside in USDA hardiness zones 7b to 10b and share all of the resilience of their parent plant .
Aspidistra’ Milky Way’
( Cultivar Of Aspidistra lurida )
As arresting as many cast iron plant cultivars are , theAspidistra ‘ Milky Way’tends to be one most people think of .
This shade buff is slightly less cold tolerant outdoors than the Aspidistra elatior cultivars , preferring USDA hardiness zones 8a to 10b but otherwise has all of the typical cast iron plant resistances .
Its title to fame is the star field of tiny white speck covering its leaves , which are much brighter than those of standardized Aspidistra elatior versions .
Aspidistra’ Singapore Sling’
( Cultivar Of Aspidistra Yingjiangensis )
Initially divulge in the markets of Singapore , nobody lie with incisively where this works came from , but its popularity is plain .
It has a reputation for being the tallest of all cast Fe plant , standing to 3′ substructure marvelous and up to 3′ base wide .
The 2″ inch astray lanceolate leaves are a ample green with creamy blotch that one cultivator described resemble a green lash bearing a field glass of Milk River .
Best constitute outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8a to 10b ; they deal the same tolerance for almost any condition as other cast - atomic number 26 flora .
The plant is known to be resistant to both deer and verticillium wilt disease .
It ’s also somewhat drought broad and can handle anything from light shade to full shade , although more visible radiation stand for expert variegation .
