Cast Iron Plant

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) earns its common name honestly. It grows into a clump about 700mm tall and 700mm across of broad, deep green, upright leaves, and it does it in the deep shade where almost nothing else holds on. It is also not toxic to cats and dogs, one of the few dark corner plants safe at floor level in a home with pets.

Why you'll love it

• Deep shade is where it thrives. Not tolerates, thrives. The dry side of a fence, under a dense tree, a windowless hallway: these are its conditions, not its compromises.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs, so a floor level pot or a border along a dog run is not a problem.
• It forgives neglect. Drought tolerant, poor soil tolerant and humidity tolerant. Missing a fortnight of watering does not register.
• The foliage carries the plant. Broad glossy leaves give an even, architectural texture year round. The cream and maroon flowers sit at soil level and are rarely noticed.

Where it works best

Mass planting in shade. Plant 50cm apart in a dark bed. At that spacing the clumps close into an even green floor over two seasons, the most reliable way to cover ground under a mature tree.

Borders and edging. Its 700mm height and upright habit make a clean, formal edge along a shaded path, held at 50cm centres.

Indoors, pots and balconies. Any room with some natural light suits it, including bathrooms and hallways that defeat most houseplants, and a 300mm pot holds a clump.

Growing cast iron plant in Australia

Position and climate. Full shade to part shade outdoors, bright indirect light indoors. Direct sun is the one thing it will not take, scorching the leaves and leaving permanent pale patches. It grows in tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, and handles light frost only.

Soil. Almost anything that drains. It copes with poor, root filled soil under established trees, which is precisely why it is used there. Mulch 50mm deep.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only when the top of the soil dries out. It is far more likely to be killed by overwatering than by drought, so a pot needs a working drainage hole. A slow release fertiliser in early spring is all it asks.

Pruning. Cut old, marked or yellowing leaves off at the base with secateurs. It grows slowly, so a leaf trimmed partway carries that cut edge for a year or more.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in four sizes: 140mm plants in packs of ten, 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, and single 300mm pots. The 140mm and 200mm packs suit mass planting a shaded bed at 50cm centres. A 300mm plant is the one for a decorative pot indoors.

Few plants travel better, because the leaves are thick and leathery. Be patient after planting: this is a slow grower, and it is normal to see nothing new for two or three months before the first fresh leaf pushes up. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• What to plant in the shaded parts of a garden
• Browse plants for full shade
• Compare low light indoor plants
• See the range of plants safe for pets

Common questions

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. Cast iron plant is not toxic to cats or dogs, which is unusual among the tough shade plants and is one of the main reasons people choose it for a home with animals.

How dark a spot will it really handle?

Very dark. It grows under established trees, on the southern side of a fence and in rooms with no direct sun. Growth is slower there, but the plant stays healthy.

How fast does it grow?

Slowly, and that is worth knowing before you buy. A clump adds only a handful of new leaves a season, so buy the larger packs for a bed you want covered quickly.