Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) earns its name — it thrives in deep shade and shrugs off the heat, drought and neglect that finish most plants. Tall, leathery, dark green leaves give it an elegant, upright look, and it is the first choice for the darkest spots in a landscape: under oaks, along north walls and in covered entries where little else will grow.
Why Florida Customers Choose Us
Cast Iron Plant Breakdown
Appearance:
Leathery, dark green, lance-shaped leaves 18–30 inches long and 3–4 inches wide rise straight from the soil on slender stems, forming a dense, upright clump.
Small purple flowers open at soil level and usually go unnoticed.
Growth Rate:
Slow.
It spreads gradually by underground rhizomes, so a full plant like this takes years to grow.
Size:
2–3 feet tall and wide.
Available in 3-gallon (24–36 inches).
Sunlight Requirements:
Shade to deep shade.
Bright filtered light is fine; direct sun bleaches and burns the leaves.
Water Needs:
Low once established.
Water regularly for the first few months, then whenever the soil dries out. Overwatering is the main thing to avoid.
Soil Preferences:
Well-draining soil with some organic matter.
Tolerates poor soil better than soggy soil.
Maintenance:
Low.
Cut the occasional worn leaf off at the base — that is about it.
Landscape Use:
Mass plantings under oaks and dense canopy, north-side foundations, shaded courtyards, covered entries and lanais, containers, and interiors.
Pairs well with Chinese Evergreen Silver Bay, Liriope and Macho Fern.
Climate Tolerance:
USDA zones 7–11.
Handles South Florida heat and humidity and is untroubled by cold snaps.
If a spot is too dark for anything else, Cast Iron Plant is the answer — and it is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Florida Delivery Available
We have in-stock Cast Iron Plant ready to ship throughout Florida. Multiple sizes available with professional installation options. Order online or text/call 561-898-2028 for expert advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Plant & Care for Cast Iron Plant in Florida
Choose Sun + Spacing
Most Florida plants prefer full to partial sun. Check mature width and space accordingly so plants don’t crowd as they fill in.
Dig Wide, Not Deep
Dig a hole 2–3x wider than the container and slightly shallow. This encourages roots to spread outward into native soil.
Plant at Proper Height
Remove from the pot, loosen circling roots, and plant with the root ball level to slightly above grade.
Water to Establish
Water deeply right after planting. For the first 10–14 days, consistent moisture is critical—don’t let the root ball dry out.
Mulch + Light Maintenance
Apply 2–3 inches of mulch (keep off the stem). Once settled, light trimming encourages fuller growth.
Professional Installation Available: Not comfortable planting yourself? We offer expert installation services throughout Florida. Our team has 15+ years of experience ensuring your plants thrive. Call 561-898-2028 to add installation to your order.
What Florida Customers Say
Excellent communication and awesome product! At an incredible price too! We're really happy with our new palm trees 🌴 Thank you so much!
After scouring the internet for reviews for Landscapers I came across Dino's Palms and sure glad I did! The owner's husband and wife came and were very helpful picking out everything we wanted! We made a deal on doing my entire property and they personally came with a crew to install in one day! The plants were healthy and beautiful and the price for everything was much cheaper than anyone else!
Dino's Palms did an amazing job with delivering and installation of my new calusia. Their plants are very affordable and I highly recommend them.
