Aspidistra elatior: Leaf Description
Basal, erect, long-petiolate, solitary, gigantic, ovate to lanceolate, acute, entire, glabrous with 16-20 parallel veins, coriaceous, dark green to reddish-purple to variegated; 20"-24".
Plant Profile: Aspidistra elatior
Names
Bar Room Plant, Barroom Plant, Cast Iron Plant, Iron Plant, Parlor Palm, Variegated Cast Iron Plant
Phonetic Spelling:ass-pih-DIS-trah eh-LAY-tee-or
Genus:Aspidistra
Species:elatior
Family:Asparagaceae
This evergreen, rhizomatous perennial can grow up to 2 feet tall, forming upright clumps. It makes an excellent choice for planting in areas with dense shade, as it is resistant to deer damage and has a moderate tolerance for salt. Often referred to as an "evergreen hosta substitute," it thrives in low-light conditions and can also be grown indoors in pots. Some varieties feature attractive variegation. Known as the "barroom plant" for its resilience in less-than-ideal environments, it is also called the iron plant due to its ability to endure neglect. This species is commonly used in southern outdoor landscapes.
It thrives in partial to full shade and cannot tolerate direct sunlight. The plant prefers rich, well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant, requiring regular watering from spring to autumn, with reduced watering during winter months. It should be protected from winter winds and generally faces no significant pest issues.
Quick Identification Tips:
Aspidistra elatior Feature Summary
Aspidistra elatior Image Gallery
Tags
#evergreen
#houseplant
#drought tolerant
#perennial
#shade tolerant
#salt tolerant
#low light
#interiorscape
#cpp
#rhizomes
#groundcover
#fantz
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats
Similar Plants
Aspidistra elatior is often confused with:
Aspidistra elatior Feature Summary
Leaves
Basal, erect, long-petiolate, solitary, gigantic, ovate to lanceolate, acute, entire, glabrous with 16-20 parallel veins, coriaceous, dark green to reddish-purple to variegated; 20"-24".
Broadleaf Evergreen
Green
Red/Burgundy
Purple/Lavender
Ovate
Lanceolate
Entire
> 6 inches
Whole Plant Traits
Ground Cover
Broadleaf Evergreen
Erect
Clumping
Slow
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Good Drainage
7a
7b
8b
8a
High Organic Matter
Stem
Landscape
Deer
Salt
Heavy Shade
Houseplants
Aspidistra elatior Image Gallery
Aspidistra elatior Leaves
Aspidistra elatior: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Aspidistra elatior: Leaf Color
Green
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
Aspidistra elatior: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Aspidistra elatior: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Aspidistra elatior: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Aspidistra elatior: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Aspidistra elatior Whole Plant Traits
Aspidistra elatior: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Aspidistra elatior: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Aspidistra elatior: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Aspidistra elatior: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Aspidistra elatior: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Aspidistra elatior Cultural Conditions
Aspidistra elatior: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Aspidistra elatior: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Aspidistra elatior: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
7a
7b
8a
8b
Aspidistra elatior: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Aspidistra elatior Stem
Aspidistra elatior: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Aspidistra elatior Landscape
Aspidistra elatior: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Aspidistra elatior: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
