Common names: Milky Way Aspidistra or  Milkyway Cast Iron
Latin name: Aspidistra elatior 'Milky Way'

If you need a plant that's low maintenance and easy to keep... a Milky Way Cast Iron Plant is the right houseplant for you. Cast Iron plants perform well in nearly all lighting conditions, temperatures and environments. They tolerate neglect and heavy traffic areas very well. Their durable variegated foliage is often used in fresh cut flower, and tropical flower arrangements.

"Milkyway Cast Iron" will adapt to nearly any location except direct sunshine... which will bleach out the foliage, and total darkness.

As with any plant... the higher the lighting the plant receives, the more water it will use. Check your Milky Way Cast Iron Plant for water weekly until you become familiar with its needs. Allow the soil to dry one to two inches from the surface soil before watering. In low light conditions your Milkyway Cast Iron plant could feasibly go two weeks between waterings. Never allow your Aspidistra to sit in a saucer of water as this will soon cause root rot.

Feed bi-monthly with Peter's Houseplant Food to help keep the speckled foliage glossy green.

Since Milkyway Cast Iron plants are so forgiving you may have good success propagating your Aspidistra plant. Propagate by dividing the plants rhizomes. Remove the plant from the pot and carefully break the root ball into two halves. Re-pot each half with a quality potting soil, water thoroughly, and within a couple of months you should have two thriving Milky Way Cast Iron plants. 

Common houseplant pests can include: On rare occasion Scale or Spider mites. For control measures see our articles under houseplant pests.

Small Milky Way Aspidistra's are available in 6" pots. Larger specimens will be available in 8", 10", 12" and 14" containers at your local garden center or from an interior plantscape firm.

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