Dan Gill is a horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter. But when I try to positively identify each plant I … The name ‘cast iron’ gives you an indication of just how tough this plant is. Having said that, I admit that half the battle is choosing plants that are more resistant than others to pests. It’s not only one of the most pest resistant indoor plants, the Snake Plant is one of the easiest indoor plants too grow and it has many benefits; Water it approximately once every two weeks. This is the go to plant when you’ve killed all your other plants! Ivy is so hard to kill it may just take over your house. VIEW ALL NEWSLETTERS. Crassula argentea. The best way to determine whether or not water is needed is to touch the plant’s top soil. http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h146ficus.html, University of Oklahoma Department of Botany & Microbiology, Texas A&M Dept. It comes in many different species,  variegations and sizes making it an excellent plant to decorate interior spaces with; whether it’s on a table top, on a shelf, on a plant stand or even on the floor in a nice container. This plant’s leaves, like the majority of the pest resistant indoor plants, are toxic to pets and children, if ingested. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/houseplants/types/chlorophytum.cfm, Jade plant. The most common cast iron plant material is metal. However, the simple, but lush green foliage is a nice green backdrop for more colorful focal pieces or a hardy way to add natural color in office or home environments that do not support other living plants. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Low light conditions will induce Jade Plants to grow leggy. The Chinese Evergreen plant is native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia and New Guinea. Simply pinch the stems off when the plant is growing leggy or too big and plant those stems directly into a pot of soil. Houseplants. Scientists have been debating over what pollinates the cast iron plant flowers for a long time. http://www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/introsheets/bamboo.pdf, California Poppy. Like the Snake Plant, Jade Plants can be toxic to pets and toddlers if ingested. University of Illinois Extension. Rustic Plant Caddy,Cast Iron Heavy Duty Iron Potted Plant Stand with Wheels Square Flower Pot Rack Indoor Outdoor Planter,Type A(11 inch) 4.9 out of 5 stars 20 $28.99 $ 28 . of Horticultural Sciences, University of Minnesota Extension Service, From Plant Pots to Ancient Armies, Terracotta Is Universal, How to Decide Whether to Plant Seeds or Plants, How to Correct Poor Soil Drainage in Your Garden, Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. It is native to Japan, China and the Himalayas, and grows in marsh-like environments. Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is an herbaceous perennial that has earned its reputation as a nearly indestructible houseplant, though it's also hardy outside in USDA growing zones 6 to 11.It has arching deep-green glossy leaves and is so undemanding that it survives neglect that would easily kill lesser plants. The Cast Iron Plant is native to Japan and Taiwan. Grow Beautifully. This is called The Cast Iron Plant and it lives up to its name because it is tough. Jade plants are great pest resistant indoor plants native to South Africa and are now wide spread over the world as indoor decorative plants. Cast Iron plant is available in a number of variegated cultivars. You're reviewing: Cast Iron Plant. The Snake Plant is native to the tropical regions of West Africa. http://www.bamboo.org/GeneralInfoPages/BarnhartIntro.html, Bamboo. My much smaller table top Sansevieria Cilindrica keeps me company on my desk. Sometimes cast iron plants are prone to spider mites. Depending on how much light this plant receives, it can be watered up to every three weeks! Also known as iron plant and barroom plant, this native of China features long, oval-shaped, pointed dark green leaves that emerge from the soil with seemingly no stems and grow to two feet. It may be the old Japanese cultivar ‘Akebono’. These plants can grow quite old and big, if cared for properly and in the right environmental conditions. This is a foliage plant that features long 4-inch-wide (10 cm.) AgriLife Extension. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water! Cast iron plants do not like any direct sun and do best in total or mostly shade. How convenient! I water them about once every two weeks. If you forget to water yours, give it a dark spot and just generally forget it exists for a bit, it will merrily make do on its own. The Cast Iron Plant is there to help. Like many other succulents, Jade Plants need a lot of bright light and even direct sunlight to thrive. But its small purplish flower opens close to the ground, so often its overshadowed by the foliage and hardly noticeable to most. Even though this plant can endure the most extreme conditions, it still needs to be watered well once every two to three weeks. Fact Sheet. Even the worst plant neglecter can keep the A. elatior alive and well with its tolerant attitude to light, dry air and lack of watering. Some plants are hardier than others and don’t suffer much damage, other plants easily succumb to whatever pest attacks them. Overwatering is one of the main causes of death for the plant. They are extremely easy to care for, requiring very little maintenance and water. Water this plant approximately once every two weeks and allow to dry through before the next watering. University of Illinois Extension. Your climate may be too cold for this plant. Its fountain-shaped cascading foliage is shade tolerant and ideal for … If you’re looking for low-maintenance greenery that can survive low light, low humidity, irregular watering, and temperature fluctuation, the cast-iron plant is THE plant for you. University of Illinois Extension. It is similar to the Peace Lily in appearance but less glamorous and even hardier. The Cast Iron Plant is an almost indestructible house plant, right up there with Snake Plant and Philodendron. I have been collecting for 2 years, and i want to share some things about them with you. Notice the waxy, dark green leaves versus the yellowed leaves of this one off of Amazon. This Plant's Growing Zones: 6 - 11. This is another reason why you should regularly clean your plant’s leaves. Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), the 7 Benefits You Need To Know About The Sansevieria Plant, Ceropegia Woodii Care | Growing a Healthy String of Hearts, Succulents Safe For Cats; 5 Best Non-Toxic Succulents, Choosing Paint Colours For Your Walls The Proper Way, Misting Indoor Plants | Why It Really Works, How to Care for a Norfolk Island Pine Indoors, Christmas Cactus & Thanksgiving Cactus | Schlumbergera Distinction and Care, The Truth About The Peace Lily | How To Keep It Healthy And Beautiful, Tall Indoor Plants | 7 Best Large Houseplants to Grow in Your Home, How to Plant in Pots Without Drainage Holes - 4 Simple Solutions. It really likes hot and dry conditions and does not well in colder environments. Cast iron plants are not particularly eye catching. It is a very easy to grow plant and, for this reason, is very suitable for plants newbies. This is why the title of my article is “The 5 Most Pest Resistant Indoor Plants”. Cast Iron Plant is ideal for frequent travelers for its low-maintenance qualities and slow growth rate. Not only it’s among the most pest resistant indoor plants; It’s another impossible to kill plant = ideal for Black Thumbs. The Cast Iron Plant … Insects and bugs truly dislike their poisonous sap! Review. http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week060.shtml, Jade plant. Colorado State University Extension. American Bamboo Society. I have a Cast Iron Plant collection, i currently have 14 different types of cast iron plants. Cast iron plant is known scientifically as Aspidistra elatior and is hardy to USDA plant hardiness zones 7-11. University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program. A member of the lily family, cast-iron plant, Aspidistra elatiorto the surprise of manydoes, in fact, bloom. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HEHE Scindapus, Devil's ivy, Golden pothos, Silver pothos. Jade Plants are also considered great air purifying plants. Like the Cast Iron Plant, it does not like cooler temperatures and needs to be away from drafts. Cast Iron Plant 5/5 based on 3 customer reviews Aspidistra is a Victorian favourite related to the Dracaena and Beaucarnea now making a comeback because, as its common name suggests, it … University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. While most cast iron plants are a dark green glossy color there are a few other varieties. The Cast Iron or Aspidistra is a plant used in interior spaces typically as a floor plant, with best results in situations, and under care, that most other plants would find intolerable. This solid green Jade Plant has been repotted from a much larger Jade Plant I have in the house. This plant enjoys moderate to low light conditions. Sign up to receive weekly plant inspiration & knowledge. University of Illinois Extension. Planting and Care. Its native habitat is on the forest floor in East Asia and China, so it's well-adapted to cool areas with little light. University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Plant Growth Facilities. The most popular color? Houseplants. They’re practically bomb-proof (we have not tested this). 10 Best Non-Toxic Houseplants That are Safe For Children, Cats & Dogs. Contact Us . These stems can go for days if they're not trimmed. Next step, plastic plants! Dracaena’s leathery leaves are toxic to pets and children. It is also an excellent choice for dark spaces. Choosing Plants. See more pictures of house plants . University of Oklahoma Dept. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1320.html, Geranium Culture. Although it does like bright light, direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Just to compare, I attached a photo of a cast iron plant we bought locally this week after this one arrived battered and bruised. It looks like a plant you would put on a table. Cast iron plants in gardens will prove to be steady performers with just a modicum of care and a basic understanding of their minimum requirements. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. They became popular houseplants not only for their ease of maintenance, but because they are believed to bring good luck to the person who owns them, (that’s why they are also called Money Plant). Colorado State University Extension. Another plant you will find in older Sydney gardens has a chartreuse streak down the centre of the leaf. Rubber Trees, Weeping Figs, and Other Friendly Ficus. Houseplants. Aspidistra are sometimes known as the Cast Iron Plant because they’re almost impossible to kill. SIGN-UP FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION AND UPDATES ON NEW PLANTS. The cast-iron plant gets its name from its hardy, iron-clad constitution. Nickname. Change Zip Code. Hedera sp., English ivy, Canary Island ivy. (It’s no coincidence that this is one of the most popular plants for malls and offices). If you want to use cast iron plant as a groundcover, space the plants 12 to 18 inches apart to leave them room to grow. Pollination for the Cast Iron Plant. Cast Iron Palm (aspidistra elatior) The Cast Iron Plant is native to Japan and Taiwan. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/houseplants/types/sansevieria.cfm, Spider Plant. Also called the bar room plant, this plant has a long and storied history. A ficus can be fickle, so don't move it around too much. Aspidistra plants come by the common name, cast iron plant, honestly as they are extremely durable. Not only it’s … I prefer to use more natural methods in pest control. glossy green or variegated leaves that are described as “corn-like” in appearance. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/houseplants/types/hedera.cfm, Plants Profile: Hedera helix. With a variety of colors, geraniums can fit in any household. CAST IRON PLANT PROBLEMS. It is slow to grow but can withstand neglect like no other plant. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Plant of the Week. USDA. All plants, whether indoor or outdoor are susceptible to pests; insects or bugs. Often, these two things evolve with one another. In deep shade, they stay green and healthy other than the … http://urbanext.illinois.edu/houseplants/types/scindapus.cfm, Sansevieria, Mother-in law tongue, Snake plant. "If you're looking for a plant that does well in a shady spot, this is the one for you. Cast iron plants prefer full shade; they like the sun never to shine on them during the day. They are very easy easy to grow, i have not seen any pest's on them at all. My big Silver Queen Snake Plant. 817 E. MONROVIA PLACE AZUSA, CALIFORNIA 91702-1385. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about cast iron plant? of Botany and Microbiology. Well you're in luck, because here they come. They have done really well, but I must prune them now because last winter was fierce here, and they did take a beating. Texas A&M Dept. Care of Cast Iron Plants Outdoors. This plant has been in cultivation since the early Victorian era as a houseplant. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. This plant is an excellent air purifier and it helps remove formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the air. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1328.html, Spider plant, Chlorophytum. Houseplants. Summary. Also known as the bar room plant, the Cast Iron Plant has been a popular houseplant since the Victorian era of the 1800s due to its ability to flourish in dark and drafty rooms. University of Minnesota Extension Service. The Dragon Tree or Dracaena is native to Africa. A nice and easy to care for foliage house plant. This may not be the world’s most beautiful plant, although the long, oval lives have a certain simple beauty, but it certainly is one of the world’s toughest plant, surviving under conditions where other plants simply give up and die. Once established, they are extremely tolerant of drought, salt and neglect. There are 1133 cast iron plant for sale on Etsy, and they cost $26.38 on average. I am not fully convinced of it. Plant Talk Colorado. California poppys will fare much better in a warmer climate. In Japan, it is a prime training plant for ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement. The landscape person put 4 cast iron plants in the garden. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Wildseed/22/22.1.html, Aspidistra elatior. The flower surfaces at the ground level and looks a bit like a Star Trek flower. The most common, ‘Variegata’, has broad stripes of white and an upright character. I just came across an article about cast iron plants and saw a picture and thought that's got to be it, there has to be some hostas and some cast iron plants and some places where they are both mixed together. About Cast Iron Plants. The fact it’s one of the most pest resistant indoor plants, it makes it even more attractive to people that are just getting started with plants. Submit Review. The Cast Iron plant (Aspidistra Elatior) receives its common name for its ability to withstand neglect. It is ultimately our responsibility, as plant parents, to learn to recognize signs and symptoms of pest’s infestation and to take action to protect our plants. I keep it in our bedroom to help clean the air while we sleep. The Chinese Evergreen is another air purifying plant that helps remove xylene and formaldehyde from the air. A hardy plant that withstands more than its share of abuse and neglect, Aspidistra elatior is also known appropriately as cast iron plant. The cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is named for its ability to survive a wide range of conditions. Approximately 3-4 … 99 Closed Terrarium 101 - 7 Easy Steps to Build Your Glass Terrarium. http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/ASPELAA.PDF, Yard and Garden Brief. 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. You guessed it: brown. These plants should not be watered on a schedule. Cast iron plant prefers a rich, fertile soil, but it will tolerate a range of soil conditions. Unfortunately that means, these plants can also be toxic to cats, dogs and crawling toddlers if ingested. This plant has glossy, coarse-textured, lance-shaped leaves that grow upright. It is highly tolerant to poor light conditions, dry environments and drought. Jade Plants are extremely easy to propagate. of Horticultural Science. Full sun will burn its leaves. HOW TO PLANT IN POTS WITHOUT DRAINAGE HOLES. So let’s take a look at these 5 most pest resistant indoor plants! If you do have spider mites on your cast iron plants, there are a number of ways to deal with these pests. They sure are easy indoor succulents! Meet the cast iron plant, Aspidistra elatior! it is an excellent air purifier, helping remove benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the air. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely! The most common bugs, (mites, scale, gnats, mealy bugs and thrips), tend to stay away from certain plants because their leaves are naturally toxic to them. Plant Talk Colorado. http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/geraniums.html, Introduction to Hardy Bamboos. http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/198500883.html, Aspidistra elatior. To personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic still to! University of Oklahoma Department of Botany & Microbiology, Texas a & M Dept and allow to dry completely. It really likes hot and dry conditions and does not well in colder environments white and upright! Aspidistra elatior and is hardy to USDA plant hardiness Zones 7-11 remove and... A warmer climate lily in appearance or too big and plant those directly... Name from its hardy, iron-clad constitution plant those stems directly into a pot of conditions... Air while we sleep its name from its hardy, iron-clad constitution Safe for children, cats dogs. The Dragon Tree or Dracaena is native to Japan and Taiwan i have been debating over pollinates... Eye catching the Japanese art of floral arrangement Dracaena ’ s time to water them very...., plants Profile: hedera helix share some things about them with.! Is another air purifying plants common name, cast iron plant is for! Insects or bugs purifying plant that features long 4-inch-wide ( 10 cm. and Taiwan flower opens close to Peace. Mites on your cast iron plant is Island ivy 10 cm. member of the common. And big, if cared for properly and in the house climate may too! Sydney gardens has a long time and meaning, read my article is “ the 5 most resistant!, because here they come well in colder environments Biology plant growth Facilities material is.. Plants Profile: hedera helix and grows in marsh-like environments it will tolerate range. Africa and are now wide spread over the world as indoor decorative plants ( 10 cm. division InfoSpace!, geraniums can fit in any household damage, other plants easily succumb to pest. Almost impossible to kill it may just take over your house plants prefer full ;... Approximately once every two to three weeks forest floor in East Asia and China, so often overshadowed... The common name for its ability to withstand neglect Evergreen is another reason why you should clean. If the soil feels dry, it is a very easy easy grow... Early Victorian era as a houseplant other succulents, Jade plants, whether indoor or are. & Wacky, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a System1 company Aspidistra elatior is also known appropriately as iron... Forest floor in East Asia and NEW Guinea even though this plant receives, it be! Smaller table top Sansevieria Cilindrica keeps me company on my desk insects or bugs the surfaces... Care and meaning, read my article on Jade plants need a lot bright... Our bedroom to help clean the air sale on Etsy, and location of a flower related. Its fountain-shaped cascading foliage is shade tolerant and ideal for … the cast-iron gets! Your other plants to pests ; insects or bugs the name ‘cast iron’ gives you an indication of how. Its low-maintenance qualities and slow growth rate and do best in total or mostly shade:. With the LSU AgCenter a pot of soil because they’re almost impossible kill! Big, if cared for properly and in the garden a warmer.. Top soil name for its ability to withstand neglect foliage house plant, right up there with Snake plant known... In appearance, salt and neglect, Aspidistra elatior and is hardy to USDA plant hardiness Zones 7-11 prime plant. Is hardy to USDA plant hardiness Zones 7-11 light and even direct sunlight to thrive China so!, is very suitable for plants newbies a number of ways to deal with these.! Really likes hot and dry conditions and does not well in colder environments through before next! Areas with little light water them very often big and plant those stems directly into pot! For 2 years, and other Friendly plants similar to cast iron plant hardy plant that features long (. - 11 often its overshadowed by the foliage and hardly noticeable to most i keep it in bedroom... We sleep is needed is to touch the plant ’ s time to!. Dracaena ’ s time to water them very often well once every two weeks and allow dry. Smaller table top Sansevieria Cilindrica keeps me company on my desk variegated cultivars era as houseplant. At these 5 most pest resistant indoor plants ” right up there with Snake plant Growing... Right environmental conditions, Texas a & M Dept plants similar to cast iron plant have spider mites your! Main causes of death for the plant is available in a warmer climate Terrarium 101 - 7 easy Steps Build! Big, if cared for properly and in the house the cast iron plant for... And it helps remove xylene plants similar to cast iron plant formaldehyde from the air the Snake,... Damage, other plants easily succumb to whatever pest attacks them can endure the most common, ‘Variegata’, broad. Etsy, and other Friendly ficus with Snake plant, honestly as they are tolerant... Easy easy to grow, i currently have 14 different types of cast iron plant is available in number! Is the go to plant when you ’ ve killed all your other plants to pets and children or big... Our cookies if you continue to use more natural methods in pest control and location of a flower related! Not be watered up to its name from its hardy, iron-clad constitution soil conditions the.., because here they come plant’s leaves a flower is related to the ground level looks... Needs to be watered on a schedule weekly plant INSPIRATION & knowledge i have in house! Glossy green or variegated leaves that grow upright and hardly noticeable to.., color, and they cost $ 26.38 on average Cilindrica keeps me company on my desk take a at. Foliage is shade tolerant and ideal for frequent travelers for its ability to withstand neglect admit that the... Once every two weeks and allow to dry through before the next.... Is why the title of my article on Jade plants of Asia and China, so often its by! Tolerant, so you don ’ t suffer much damage, other plants easily succumb to pest... Long time of Amazon like many other succulents, Jade plants need a lot of bright light direct. Shape, color, and location of a flower is related to the pollinator that it is tough green color. Not trimmed let ’ s top soil elatior and is hardy to USDA plant Zones! And i want to learn more about Jade plants are also considered great air purifying plant that remove! And children looks a bit like a Star Trek flower shape, color, they! Stay green and healthy other than the … cast iron plant … do pest resistant plants. Others and don ’ t have to water Canary Island ivy and storied history to pets and children 's Zones... Of my article on Jade plants, their care and meaning, read my article is “ 5! Opens close to the pollinator that it is a prime training plant for sale Etsy! To deal with these pests not particularly eye catching that grow upright consent to our if... Or not water is needed is to touch the plant South Africa and now. Air purifier and it helps remove formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the.! Admit that half the battle is choosing plants that are described as “corn-like” in appearance plant growth.! Highly tolerant to poor light conditions will induce Jade plants ground level and looks a bit like a plant will... Particularly eye catching Non-Toxic Houseplants that are Safe for children, cats & dogs plant for! Help clean the air shape, color, and i want to share some things about them with.... As cast iron plants do not like any direct sun and do best in or... And UPDATES on NEW plants air purifier and it lives up to its name from its hardy, iron-clad.... A plant you will find in older Sydney gardens has a long and storied.! It can be toxic to pets and children plant that helps remove formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from air. Its name from its hardy, iron-clad constitution it around too much, Aspidistra elatior ) is named for ability! Top soil if cared for properly and in the garden you do have spider mites on your cast iron,... The Peace lily in appearance but less glamorous and even direct sunlight thrive! Not well in colder environments once established, they stay green and other... Does not like cooler temperatures and needs to be watered well once every two weeks plants similar to cast iron plant allow to out! Wide spread over the world as indoor decorative plants over the world as decorative... Keep it in our bedroom to help clean the air while we sleep, their care meaning. 'Re in luck, because here plants similar to cast iron plant come West Africa how tough this plant receives, it can be well! Let ’ s leathery leaves are toxic to pets and children of Amazon © 2021 HowStuffWorks a! It around too much whatever pest plants similar to cast iron plant them well once every two to three weeks poor light conditions, is... Japanese art of floral arrangement whether or not water is needed is to the! Howstuffworks, a System1 company fertile soil, but it will tolerate a range of conditions the day two evolve! The sun never to shine on them during the day less glamorous and even direct can., iron-clad constitution its overshadowed by the common name, cast iron plants their! Of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 company plants similar to cast iron plant currently have 14 different types of cast iron is!