Cast iron plant care: light, water, and pet safety

Aspidistra elatior

Care table

Light	Low light to medium light. Low to medium light. Direct sun bleaches the leaves.
Water	Let half the pot dry. Water when the top half of the pot is dry.
Humidity	Average room air is fine
Repotting	Every 3 to 5 years. Slow growing.

Winter care

Water sparingly. It handles cool rooms and low light better than almost anything.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Cast Iron Plant

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Brown streaks: Direct sun or sitting in water.
Soft, mushy base or black roots: Root rot from soil that stays wet too long. Common in winter.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool