“The plant’s notability comes from its ability to survive in lower light and drought-tolerant conditions. It also has a natural resistance to many pests and diseases,” Pangborn tells mbg. Native to the temperate conditions of Japan and China, the Aspidistra elatior has been a popular houseplant around the world for ages. “The nickname for the cast iron plant emerged alongside its rise in popularity during the Regency era,” Pangborn explains. “It continued to reign as one of the most popular houseplants in the Victorian era. It’s also known as the barroom plant thanks to its ability to survive in extremely low light.” The standard cast iron plant is known for its long, deep green leaves and the tiny purple flowers you can sometimes spot along its soil line. It also comes in variegated and speckled varieties, known as the Milky Way. You can find small cast iron plants in most gardening shops and online retailers for around $50. Since it’s a pretty slow grower, taller plants are rare and can set you back up to $100. As environmentalist and greenery expert Summer Rayne Oakes previously told mbg, this plant would be a perfect fit for someone who doesn’t get much light in their home but still craves a little greenery. “The cast iron plant is known as a very easy-care houseplant due to its adaptability and resilience,” echoes Pangborn. “It can handle extremes in a watering regimen better than most houseplants and is also tolerant of lower-light conditions.” Pangborn recommends watering slowly with room temperature water until all your plant’s soil is saturated and water begins to drip out of its drainage hole. Wait a few minutes before emptying the saucer of any standing water. Watering with tap water? Know that cast iron plants can be sensitive to fluoride; too much of which can cause darkened leaf tips. “If you notice this, leach the soil by placing the pot in a sink or tub and allowing a slow stream of water to run through the soil and out the drainage hole for five to 10 minutes. This will help flush out any mineral buildup,” Pangborn suggests. “You might want to switch to filtered or rainwater to reduce fluoride exposure.” This means that you can get away with placing this plant in a slightly darker spot in your home, a few feet from a window. (Just remember that the less light it gets, the slower it will grow.) The one place you don’t want to put the shade-loving cast iron plant is right in front of a south- or west-facing window that receives a lot of bright light. If you have a healthy cast iron plant that you want to divide into multiple plants, follow this quick guide. It’s best to wait until spring or summer growing season to give it a try: Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
