Cast Iron Plant

Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is the brown thumb gardener's dream, apparently.

It has been in and out of popularity since Victorian times, when it was often found in fanciful parlors. Now that I know this, I'll be potting some and bringing it inside.

It is said to thrive under almost any condition or even neglect. That it lived in the often dark Victorian homes is a testament to its hardiness.

It's a slow grower, so patience is necessary to have a spread like this.

I think one of its interesting aspects is its flower, which appears in early Spring (now) and is at ground level or just under the soil.

I have several plantings of cast iron plant and each year I have to remove the ones that are trying to grow out over the sidewalk.

Cast iron plant is a member of the Lily family, but it obviously lacks the showy flowers of most of its relatives. Still, it makes a showy green ground cover or filler in shady areas.

For more information visit Cast Iron Plant. Then add this beauty to your garden.