Also known as Cast Iron Plant · 188 gardener saves
Aspidistra: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Aspidistra, the genus most gardeners know as cast iron plant. We track 40 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Aspidistra varieties
Of 40 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedNanjing Green Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra retusa 'Nanjing Green'
#2 most savedAspidistra Skin Tight Green Jeans
Aspidistra molendinacea 'Skin Tight Green Jeans'
#3 most savedAspidistra mushaensis Spotty Dotty
Aspidistra mushaensis 'Spotty Dotty'
Fuji-no-mine Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior 'Fuji-No-Mine'
Morning Frost Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior 'Morning Frost'
Cast Iron Plant 'Sekko Kan'
Aspidistra elatior 'Sekko Kan'
Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra saxicola 'Come Here Spot'
Skinny Dippin' Aspidistra
Aspidistra linearifolia 'Skinny Dippin'
Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior
Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Haku Sei Ryu'
Barry's Big Splash Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra yingjiangensis 'Barrys Big Splash'
Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra
Aspidistra elatior 'Akebono'
Browse all 40 Aspidistra varieties →
How to grow Aspidistra
What the Aspidistra varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Aspidistra year
- DivideMarch and April100% of varieties
Divide dense clumps every 5-10 years to rejuvenate
- FertilizeMarch and April95% of varieties
Apply a light, balanced fertilizer only if growth is weak
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March88% of varieties
Remove any damaged or old foliage before new growth begins
- PlantMarch, April, September and October45% of varieties
Plant or transplant in spring after frost or early fall
- MulchMarch40% of varieties
Refresh mulch layer to maintain moisture and suppress weeds
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch leaves ❌
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t let soil dry out completely
What goes wrong with Aspidistra
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White, cottony spots on leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and stippling on leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap. |
| Scale insects | Sticky residue and yellowing leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Yellowing leaves and soft, decaying roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering; repot if necessary. |
| Leaf spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide |
Making more Aspidistra
Division
- Dig up mature plants in early spring
- Separate rhizomes with clean, sharp knife
- Plant divisions in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly after planting
- Allow 6 weeks for establishment
Seed sowing
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Germination occurs in 4-6 weeks
- Transplant seedlings once established
Aspidistra questions
How many types of Aspidistra are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 40 distinct Aspidistra varieties. The most popular — ranked by 188 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Aspidistra grow in?
Across its varieties, Aspidistra covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Aspidistra bloom?
Most Aspidistra varieties bloom in late spring, late fall, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Aspidistra should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Aspidistra
Aspidistra shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Aspidistra in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
