Cast-Iron Plant
The cast-iron plant, also called the parlor palm, is a hardy house plant that bears broad, oblong, leathery leaves from creeping rhizomes below soil level. Some varieties are variegated, with cream to white stripes, but lose their coloration if not given good light.
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A Victorian favorite, the cast-iron plant is slowly coming back into popularity, but remains expensive because of its slow growth. The common name refers as much to its iron-clad constitution as to the darkness of its leaves: Just about nothing will kill it.
Cast-Iron Plant Quick Facts:Scientific Name: Aspidistra elatior
Common Names: Cast-Iron Plant, Parlor Palm
Light Requirement for Cast-Iron Plant: Bright Light to Filtered Light
Water Requirement for Cast-Iron Plant: Drench, Let Dry
Humidity for Cast-Iron Plant: Average Home
Temperature for Cast-Iron Plant: House to Cold
Fertilizer for Cast-Iron Plant: Balanced
Potting Mix for Cast-Iron Plant: All-Purpose
Propagation for Cast-Iron Plant: Division
Decorative Use for Cast-Iron Plant: Floor, Table
Care Rating for Cast-Iron Plant: Very Easy
To learn more about other types of house plants, try these:- House Plants
- Full Sun House Plants
- Bright Light House Plants
- Filtered Light House Plants
- Light Shade House Plants
- Hanging Basket House Plants
- Floor Plant House Plants
- Table Plant House Plants
- Terrarium Plant House Plants
- Very Easy House Plants
- Easy House Plants
- Demanding House Plants
- Temporary House Plants
- Flowering House Plants
- Climbing or Trailing House Plants
- House Plants with Colorful Foliage
- Fragrant House Plants
Learn how to care for house plants:
- Lighting House Plants
- Watering House Plants
- Humidity for House Plants
- Temperature for House Plants
- Fertilizing House Plants
- Potting House Plants
- Grooming House Plants
- Propagating House Plants
- Decorating with House Plants
- Preventing Pests and Diseases in House Plants
- Vacation Care for House Plants
- Gardening
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Larry Hodgson is a full time garden writer working out of Quebec City in the heart of French Canada where he grows well over 3,000 species and varieties. His book credits include Making the Most of Shade, The Garden Lovers Guide to Canada, Perennials for Every Purpose, Annuals for Every Purpose, Houseplants for Dummies, and Ortho’s Complete Guide to Houseplants, as well as other titles in English and French. He’s the winner of the Perennial Plant Association’s 2006 Garden Media Award.