Aspidistra elatior/Aspidistra

Foliage on well established planting
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Scientific Name:	Aspidistra elatior
Common Name:	Aspidistra
Plant Type:	Evergreen
Leaf Type:	Broadleaf
Hardiness Zone:	8, 9, 10, 11 Determine Your Zone
Height:	2- 5 feet
Spread:	2 -3 feet
Light Exposure:	Part Sun, Filtered Shade, Shade
Drainage:	Well drained, Moist
Rate of Growth:	Moderate
Water Requirement:	Medium
Maintenance Level:	Low
Susceptible to insects and diseases:	No

Comments:	This is called the cast iron plant because it will survive under a very wide range of growing conditions from full sun to dry soil. However, it prefers moist soils in shady locations. Leaf burn in sunlight. Cut back aspidistra all the way to the ground every three or so years to encourage a crop of new fresh foliage. Old foliage can become quite unattractive and blemished is not removed periodically. Difficult to pick and choose which leaves to remove. Just cut all the foliage back periodically. Plants are most attractive in winter when growing under canopies of deciduous trees. The leaves are cleaned by winter rains and they are somewhat glossy in winter sunlight. Plants look terrible in direct summer sunlight because of leaf burn. There is virtually no place outdoors too shady for this perennial. Does not do very well as an indoor plant.