Aspidistra, plant care and growing guide

aspidistra-growing-guide

Aspidistra ( Aspidistra elatior ) is a plant native to China, the Himalayas, and Japan. It is often used as a houseplant, and it decorates the room with its leaves. The plant is a bush with many leaves with prominent ribs and it can reach a height of 40-50 cm. In the soil, it has rhizomes from which grow large, glossy, lanceolate, dark green leaves. The flowers are insignificant from an ornamental point of view. They have the shape of bells, are purple, and rarely appear, discreetly, at the base of the leaves.

Species and varieties

The best-known varieties are:

Variegata – it has long leaves, with longitudinal, cream-colored striations;

Aurea – the leaves have golden spots;

Argentea – the leaves have white spots.

Environmental conditions

Light. Aspidistra prefers places with shade and partial shade, but it also thrives in places with more light, if it is not placed in direct sunlight. It grows intensely during summer, and in winter the plant needs a period of dormancy.

Temperature. It prefers moderate temperatures of approximately 18-20° C during summer and a minimum of 7-10° C during winter.

Humidity. It has moderate requirements regarding substrate and air humidity.

Substrate. Aspidistra needs a fertile substrate, composed of equal parts of gravel and sandy soil, with a very good drainage capacity.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Watering

It should be done moderately since excessive moisture in the substrate can lead to root rot.

Fertilization

It should be done from April to September, using fertilizers for decorative plants.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
Repotting

The plant can be repotted once every 3-4 years if the pot becomes too small and the roots come out of the pot.

Propagation

It is done through plant division, in spring, at the same time with the repotting if this procedure is necessary. It is recommended to section a part of the rhizome which has at least 2 leaves, and then plant the cutting in a new pot with a fresh substrate, which should be kept moist and in a warm place until it begins to sprout new leaves.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
Diseases and pests

Aspidistra is sensitive to pest attacks. During the summer, the plant is sensitive to mites attacks, and during winter, to scale insects attacks.

Recommended products

Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
In addition:
  • excessive watering and keeping the soil too moist leads to plant wilting.
  • it is recommended to clean the leaves weekly with a damp cloth.
  • in the Victorian era it was considered the symbolic flower of the middle classes.
×

We help you
to take care of your plants

If you haven't yet found solutions in our articles or previous discussions, start a new discussion and our experts will help you.

New discussion about

Aspidistra, plant care and growing guide
Aspidistra, plant care and growing guide

Your information:

Your name must contain a maximum of 30 characters. If you would like to pass on the details of the problem you are facing, please complete the other fields.

The maximum document size is 59 MB.

Add
It helps if you attach some Images or Clips maximumm 15 sec


Want to know more?

Our specialists participate in the discussions of the armuro community with useful information and solutions.
If you want, you can start a discussion about the problem you are facing.
Read the discussions