Basic Cast Iron Plant Care
If you’re looking for a striking but low-maintenance houseplant, then the Cast Iron Plant is your perfect match. They are actually one of the few houseplants that thrive from almost being neglected (hence the name) as they like the occasional watering and can adapt to almost every light level (direct light should be avoided). So wherever you have a little space in your home that needs brightening up with some greenery, we always recommend the Cast Iron Plant.
Detailed Cast Iron Plant Care
They’re super easy to keep
The great thing about Cast Iron Plants is that it’s one of the easiest plants to keep. They can deal with a huge range of environments with no issues.
Cast Iron Plant lighting needs
The Aspidistra is one of the least fussy houseplants when it comes to lighting conditions. They’re more than happy with a shady spot, just keep them out of bright direct light.
Keeping the leaves lush and green
To make sure that the leaves stay lush and healthy, make sure to keep the humidity a little higher. To make it easy just spray the leaves down with a misting bottle every few days.
Cast Iron Plant watering
As with lighting requirements, the Aspidistra is really not fussy. Make sure that your pot isn’t holding in excess moisture to avoid root rot, but don’t worry about missing the odd watering.
Keeping the leaves clean
Just like any other plant with larger leaves, the Cast Iron plant will definitely appreciate having its leaves dusted off once in a while. This will just allow it to ‘breathe’ a little better.
Cast Iron Plant Care FAQs
Can Cast Iron Plants tolerate full sun?
Cast Iron Plants can cope with bright light but will start to dry out and burn if exposed to too much intense direct sunlight. But other than that, they can adapt to a real range of light levels and even make a pretty good low light plant.
Is the Cast Iron Plant easy to care for?
Yes, Cast Iron Plants are one of the easiest houseplants to care for. Not only do they adapt well to a range of environments, but they don’t need constant tending to so are great for beginner or busy plant parents.
How often should I water my Cast Iron Plant?
Cast Iron Plants are quite forgiving when it comes to a watering schedule. Make sure that your pot isn’t holding in excess moisture to avoid root rot, but don’t worry about missing the odd watering.
Is the Cast Iron Plant toxic?
Another great thing about the Cast Iron Plant is that they are non-toxic and completely safe making them great for every home.
How many varieties of Cast Iron Plant are there?
There are over 50 different varieties of the Cast Iron Plant that are all beautiful in their own way. But the main ones are the Variegata (loved for its white striped variegation), Asahi (white tipped leaves) and the Milky Way (gorgeous white speckled leaves).
Common Issues with Cast Iron Plants
Although they have the reputation of being impossible to kill, you might notice a few issues crop up from time to time so it’s important you know what to look out for and how to get your Cast Iron Plant back on track.
Why does my Cast Iron Plant have yellow leaves?
The most common cause of yellow leaves on Cast Iron Plants is overwatering. Check the moisture levels in the soil to confirm the issue and replace if waterlogged. Going forward you will want to cut back on how much you are watering your Cast Iron Plant to prevent the issue happening again.
Another potential cause is too much direct sunlight scorching the leaves. In this cause simply move your plant to a less sunny spot and remove the worst affected leaves.
Why does my Cast Iron Plant have brown leaf tips?
Bronw leaf tups are caused by a few factors so go through eliminating each one to find the cause. Firstly it can be caused by underwatering which dries out the leaves. Secondly, it can be caused by a lack of humidity so try misting your plant or investing in a humidifier.
If those two issues are not solving the problem then it may be that your Cast Iron Plant is reacting to the high levels of fluoride in the tap water so use rainwater or distilled water in future.
Why are there spots on my Cast Iron Plant's leaves?
Spots and speckles on your Cast Iron Plant are often caused by spider mites. These are little pests that suck on your plant’s leaves and will eventually kill your plant if not dealt with. Start by isolating your plant to stop the infestation spreading to other plants and then treat with an insecticide.
It can happen that you are not able to curb the spider mite infestation at which point it is sometimes best to say goodbye to your plant so you don’t risk infecting any of your other beloved houseplants. It can be tough (we have been there) but it has to be done sometimes.
