Aspidistra Cast Iron Plant

Cast Iron Plant is a famously durable evergreen perennial with broad, glossy leaves that bring a lush look to difficult shady spaces. It grows slowly into a handsome upright clump and handles the heat and deep shade of Southern gardens better than many foliage plants. Use it beneath trees, beside a shaded porch, in containers, or as a low-maintenance hosta substitute. Available for local pickup from Towns Edge Nursery.

Plant details

• Botanical name: Aspidistra elatior
• Light: Partial shade to deep shade; avoid direct afternoon sun
• USDA zones: 7-11
• Mature size: 1-3 ft tall x 1-3 ft wide
• Foliage: Broadleaf evergreen with leathery, glossy dark-green leaves
• Flower or feature: Grown primarily for bold year-round foliage; small flowers may appear near the soil
• Bloom season: Early summer when flowering occurs
• Water: Moderate while establishing; tolerates occasional dry periods once established
• Growth habit: Slow-growing upright clump that spreads by rhizomes
• Landscape uses: Shade garden, groundcover, mass planting, container, porch, indoor plant, and specimen
• Deer tolerance: Generally deer resistant, not deer-proof

South Carolina garden note: Cast Iron Plant is especially useful in Zone 8b for dense shade where direct sun would bleach or scorch the foliage.