Common names: "Variegated Cast Iron Plant"
Latin name: Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata'

Variegated Cast Iron plants are slower growing than the solid green variety and usually cost quite a bit more than other house plants that are in similar container sizes. "Cast-Iron" plants produce beautiful star shaped flowers just under the soil line. If your lucky... some day when you're poking around in the soil you may see them.

Variegated Cast Iron plants can be placed in nearly any lighting condition except hot direct sunshine or total darkness. 

As with any plant... the higher the lighting the plant receives, the more water it will use. Check your variegated 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 variegated 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  variegated foliage glossy green.

Since variegated 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 variegated Cast Iron plants. 

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

Small variegated 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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