Also known as Cast Iron Plant · 317 saves

Aspidistra

Aspidistra, the genus most gardeners know as cast iron plant. We track 40 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.

40 varietiesZones 4–10Shade friendly

The 24 most-saved Aspidistra varieties

Aspidistra Skin Tight Green Jeans#1 most saved

Aspidistra Skin Tight Green Jeans

Aspidistra molendinacea 'Skin Tight Green Jeans'

Nanjing Green Cast Iron Plant#2 most saved

Nanjing Green Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra retusa 'Nanjing Green'

Aspidistra mushaensis Spotty Dotty#3 most saved

Aspidistra mushaensis Spotty Dotty

Aspidistra mushaensis 'Spotty Dotty'

Fuji-no-mine Cast Iron Plant

Fuji-no-mine Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior 'Fuji-No-Mine'

Cast Iron Plant

Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior

Haku Sei Ryu Cast Iron Plant

Haku Sei Ryu Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Haku Sei Ryu'

Cast Iron Plant 'Sekko Kan'

Cast Iron Plant 'Sekko Kan'

Aspidistra elatior 'Sekko Kan'

Sichuan Aspidistra

Sichuan Aspidistra

Aspidistra sichuanensis

Stars and Stripes Cast Iron Plant

Stars and Stripes Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior 'Stars and Stripes'

Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra

Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra

Aspidistra elatior 'Akebono'

Singapore Sling Aspidistra

Singapore Sling Aspidistra

Aspidistra yingjiangensis 'Singapore Sling'

Come Here Spot Cast Iron Plant

Come Here Spot Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra saxicola 'Come Here Spot'

Alishan Broad Cast Iron Plant

Alishan Broad Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra attenuata 'Alishan Broad'

Morning Frost Cast Iron Plant

Morning Frost Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior 'Morning Frost'

Yunnan Sunbeam Aspidistra

Yunnan Sunbeam Aspidistra

Aspidistra elatior 'zongbayi Yunnan Sunbeam'

Spotted Cast Iron Plant

Spotted Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra minutiflora 'Leopard'

Barry's Big Splash Cast Iron Plant

Barry's Big Splash Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra yingjiangensis 'Barrys Big Splash'

Yellow Hammer Cast Iron Plant

Yellow Hammer Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Yellow Hammer'

Ginga Giant Cast Iron Plant

Ginga Giant Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior 'Ginga Giant'

Skinny Dippin' Aspidistra

Skinny Dippin' Aspidistra

Aspidistra linearifolia 'Skinny Dippin'

Spurred Cast Iron Plant 'Yellow Polka Dot Bikini'

Spurred Cast Iron Plant 'Yellow Polka Dot Bikini'

Aspidistra spuria 'Yellow Polka Dot Bikini'

Graceful Cast Iron Plant

Graceful Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra pulchella 'S135-07'

Lennon's Song Cast Iron Plant

Lennon's Song Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior 'Lennons Song'

Yushan Starbright Cast Iron Plant

Yushan Starbright Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra daibuensis 'Yushan Starbright'

See all 40 Aspidistra varieties →Search this genus →

Track your Aspidistra in Sow

Save the Aspidistra you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.

Join Sow for Free

How to grow Aspidistra

Whats common across all Aspidistra varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them.

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

ProblemWhat you'll seeWhat to do
MealybugsWhite, cottony spots on leavesApply insecticidal soap or neem oil
Spider mitesFine webbing and speckled leavesSpray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
Spider MitesFine webbing and stippling on leavesIncrease humidity and spray with insecticidal soap.
Scale insectsSticky residue and yellowing leavesUse horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
Root rotWilting and yellowing leavesImprove drainage and reduce watering
Root RotYellowing leaves and soft, decaying rootsImprove drainage and reduce watering; repot if necessary.
Leaf spotBrown or black spots on leavesRemove affected leaves and apply fungicide

Making more Aspidistra

Division

  1. Dig up mature plants in early spring
  2. Separate rhizomes with clean, sharp knife
  3. Plant divisions in prepared soil
  4. Water thoroughly after planting
  5. Allow 6 weeks for establishment

Seed sowing

  1. Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
  2. Keep soil consistently moist
  3. Germination occurs in 4-6 weeks
  4. 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 317 real gardeners — 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 fall, late spring, 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