Aspidistra tall. How to grow green aspidistra at home

The role of green friends is great in the room where a person spends most of his time. It has long been known that furniture “fones”; when airing, we release a cocktail of industrial emissions out the window. We are reassured that pollution is normal. But few people know that only 20 compounds are determined in the laboratory, the rest are kept silent and are not registered. In these conditions, large-leaf ornamental plants will help out, as they absorb all impurities and purify the air. The most unpretentious of them is the aspidistra; caring for it at home will not cause any difficulties.

Aspidistra content requirements

In nature, the aspidistra's habitat is dense undergrowth, where there is always shade, twilight and coolness. It grows in clumps, expanding in breadth from the root. If you have ever found yourself in a wild garlic clearing in Siberia, it will resemble aspidistra thickets in Southeast Asia, only its leaves are rough and three times taller. The plant is classified as a member of the lily or lily of the valley family, according to various qualification criteria. Of the 20 species, only one grows in culture - tall aspidistra.

It is important to note that the plant is loved by gardeners and has received many popular names - mother-in-law's tongue, friendly family. Leaves from the rhizome emerge from the ground. This plant does not have a stem. With proper care, the aspidistra blooms, which is clearly visible in the photo. A flower that lasts only a day will be released as a means of grudging gratitude. Only by looking closely will you be able to see among the leaves, near the ground, a flower emerging from the root, which can be pollinated by a similar one and produce one seed.

This unpretentious plant can withstand all changes in the microclimate of the room. It is only afraid of direct sunlight, excessive watering and complete drying out of the soil. It tolerates even short-term drops in temperature, but not below the freezing point of water. The green mass grows slowly, 5-6 leaves per year. The root system, growing, gives life to new stems.

Proper care of apidistra at home

If your windows face north and are blocked from the sun by a high-rise building or a top-floor balcony, aspidistra will be an ideal plant that will create a green corner. It is unpretentious in care and is better than others for first experiments in creating a home garden.

Like any apidistra plant, it has special care requirements. The requirements boil down to creating conditions of existence, ensuring:

external content factors;
soil composition and timing of its replacement;
watering and;
pests and diseases.

The determining factor is the shade tolerance of aspidistra. The plant thrives in partial shade and in diffuse light. If the leaf blade begins to turn pale, the lighting should be increased a little. There are variegated aspidistras, which under diffused light increase the contrast of the stripes, they become more elegant. Dots that appear on the leaves indicate sunburn.

In the shade of the aspidistra in the summer it lives well in the fresh air, in the country, on the balcony. In this case, you should create a small cover from the burning rays of the sun. It is not affected by night and day temperature changes. However, the plant develops comfortably at average 22 0. In the heat, the leaves dry out, the roots do not have time to water them.

The flower does not require frequent moistening of the leaves, but is grateful for showers and wiping the leaves from dust. It must be remembered that aspidastra loves frequent moderate watering with settled soft water. The clod of earth should be moistened 2-3 times a week in summer, and half as often in winter.

The golden rule of gardeners for all plants must be followed. For all greenhouse and house plants, underwatering is not as bad as overwatering. Fertilizer is applied only to a damp lump of earth.

When it comes to fertilizers, the flower is almost an ascetic. Frequent feeding is harmful to him. For variegated breeds, overfeeding may cause the plate to change color to green. On the other hand, the richness of greenery also depends on adequate nutrition. How to fertilize aspidistra and how often is selected experimentally, depending on the composition of the soil and the timing of the last replanting.

It is recommended to use liquid fertilizer "Uniflor", which is produced for growth, for green leaves, variegated species. The frequency of application is from 2 weeks to a month during the growing season. But if cracking of the leaves is suddenly noticed, this is overfeeding. Then stop fertilizing watering until the beauty of the leaves is restored.

An unpretentious plant does not require a special soil composition. For him, the soil that is prepared for seedlings of garden crops is enough:

turf soil - 2 parts;
- 1 part;
humus – 1 part;
sand – 1 part; leaf soil - 1 part.

As always, the addition of vermiculite and crushed charcoal is welcome. Aspidistra will develop in ordinary garden soil or purchased universal soil. Plants are replanted every 3 years. But the root grows quickly, so each transplant requires a 2-fold increase in the volume of soil. Old plants are not replanted, but the soil on top is changed. The root system does not like shocks - this is a feature of aspidistra. The optimal method of transplantation is transshipment without destroying the earth clod. The bowl should allow the leaves to grow in width. In this case, the plant needs a sufficient layer of drainage.

Aspidistra is propagated by dividing the bush during transplantation. In this case, it is necessary to perform the operation in the least traumatic way. If you pinch off a root with 4-5 leaves, the main bush will take it painlessly.

Reproduction is carried out by dividing the leaf blade into fragments using a knife. The sections are dried. The resulting pieces are placed in an airtight container with water. It may be a vessel with a wide neck. In this case, complete tightness is achieved. The lid is filled with paraffin and covered with plasticine.

Roots should appear on the edges. Then the seedling is placed in the ground and covered with a glass jar on top. When the aspidistra takes root, young leaves will appear, which need to be cared for in the same way as adult plants.

Signs of insufficient care for aspidistra

A plant in captivity, even the most unpretentious one, requires care. When caring, you should take a closer look at the flower, and it will tell you about the problems:

slow growth - feed with urea;
dark spots - inspect for pests, remove from drafts, increase the temperature;
dry tips of leaves - dry air, dry soil;
limp, blackening leaves - the plant has been flooded;
leaves turn yellow - the plant is old or the roots are rotting.

Like all other household inhabitants, aspidastra, if not properly cared for, is susceptible to infestation by spider mites, aphids and scale insects. You can control these pests with the help of chemicals, but you need to remember to take protective measures for yourself and others.

Features of caring for aspidistra - video

The aspidistra plant is a perennial bush that belongs to the asparagus family. Its homeland is the tropical forests of East Asia. In total, there are 8 species of this plant; in home conditions, the tall aspidistra is more common; it is hardy and unpretentious in care.

Short description

Aspidistra is a plant 50-60 cm high, it has strong roots from which leaves grow, there is no stem as such. Aspidistra leaves are shiny, their plates are rich green in color, covered with veins, sometimes curved upward, their length is 60-80 cm, width is about 10 cm.

The aspidistra flower produces in the form of single bells, at the base of the root close to the ground; flowering in this plant is quite rare.

This is an unpretentious and hardy plant that can exist in places with insufficient lighting and in conditions with low temperatures, and has also adapted to poor ecology. The plant grows and develops quite slowly.

Aspiridistra care

Almost all types of aspidistra do not require special care, can easily withstand cold (but not frost) and do not need good lighting. Only species with striped leaves are an exception; they require a lot of light.

The plant is able to adapt to different temperature conditions, in addition to cold, it also easily tolerates heat; if the room temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius, it is recommended to spray the leaves with water at room temperature.

Simple care at home allowed this flower to spread throughout the world in less than 100 years.

How to water correctly

Watering a flower is quite simple. You need to monitor the soil; as soon as the top layer begins to feel dry, this is a sign that the plant can be watered. On average, in the warm season, water 2-3 times a week, and in winter, once, or even less often, is enough.

Choosing land for aspidistra

The plant is easy to care for, it does not need special soil; to plant it, you can take ordinary soil from a flower bed. But if you want the aspidistra to grow faster, you can make more nutritious soil; for this, you need to take 1 part sand, 2 parts turf soil, 2 parts deciduous soil, 2 parts humus. It is better to plant young specimens in such soil for better development and rooting.

Aspidistra belongs to the evergreen stemless perennial herbs of the Asparagus family. East and Southeast Asia are considered to be the birthplace of this culture. The first specimens were discovered and described at the beginning of the 19th century.

Photo gallery

Now there are about 100 varieties of this plant. Most of them are endemic, that is, they grow in a clearly limited area.

Description

Aspidistra is popularly called snake grass because the scaly, curved rhizomes protruding from the ground look like the body of a snake. The basal leaves, devoid of stems, grow extremely densely and tightly together.

Due to the visual similarity and the absence of bulbs, this crop has long been considered a relative of the lily of the valley and. The leaf blades of this flower are leathery, dark green, shiny, but larger and taller than the lily of the valley.

How does it bloom?

Aspidistra blooms rarely and sporadically. In indoor conditions, this happens most often in winter or early spring. Star-shaped axillary small (up to 2.5 cm) sessile flowers of purple or lilac color appear between the scales directly from the rhizome.

After pollination, a pear-shaped or round fruit is formed with a single large seed inside.

Signs and superstitions

A number of signs and superstitions are associated with aspidistra. It is believed that a flower received as a gift strengthens character and strengthens willpower, and also helps overcome despondency and treats depression. A bush growing in the house gives the owner stamina and endurance.

In addition to its magical qualities, the beneficial properties of aspidistra are also used. All parts of the plant (rhizomes, flowers and leaves) have healing properties.

Decoctions of this herb are used for urolithiasis, cystitis, gastrointestinal pathologies, muscle pain and cramps.

Types of aspidistra with photos and names

No more than 6-8 varieties are grown as indoor flowers, differing in size, color and crown shape.

Tall (aspidistra elatior)

Most often in apartments and offices you can see Aspidistra elatior. The plant is shaped like a lily of the valley, is a dense bush 60-80 cm high, consisting of a large number of wide (6-10 cm) dark green leathery leaves.

Several ornamental varieties of this variety are cultivated at home:

Variegata. The shiny, juicy green leaf blades are dotted with longitudinal creamy-white stripes of varying widths.
Blume. The plates are smaller in size, of a single-color bright emerald color. The flowers are yellowish or brown-crimson.
Milky Way (Milky Way). A bush not exceeding 40-60 cm in height, with elongated dark leaves that are covered with many small creamy dots and irregularly shaped spots, reminiscent of stars in the sky.
Snow Cap. The wide leaf blades of the rhizome are green, gradually lighten and become almost white towards the ends.

Attenuata (a. attenuata)

The species was first discovered in the forested mountains of Taiwan. The variety belongs to indoor crops. A bush 55-60 cm high with a powerful massive rhizome forming dense clumps.

Leaves with small vague light spots 6-8 cm wide in a noble dark green shade are located on high petioles. Single bell-shaped whitish or pale green flowers appear once a year at the very beginning of summer. The diameter of the bud is about 3 cm.

Oblanceifolia (a. oblanceifolia)

The variety differs from other varieties by the presence of narrow leaf blades, no more than 3 cm wide, the color of which varies from yellow to green (sometimes spotted). Small red star-shaped flowers open in early spring. The bush grows up to 60 cm in height.

Sichuan (a. sichuanensis)

In the wild it grows in dense bamboo thickets of China at an altitude of up to 650-1100 m. A plant with a powerful branched rhizome and single erect elliptical or lanceolate leaves, reaching a height of 60-70 cm and a width of 6-7 cm.

The dense green monochromatic or spotted plate has clearly visible whitish arched veins. The dark purple small bell flower blooms in winter.

Home care

Unlike most indoor plants, aspidistra can be placed in any corner of the room. She is extremely easy to care for and will feel good even in artificial lighting. The optimal place in the house for a flower would be windows in a northern or eastern direction.

The plant must be protected from direct sunlight, as unsightly spots from burns will remain on the leaves. Variegated varieties require a little more light, otherwise they lose their attractiveness and decorativeness.

The culture is undemanding to room temperature. In summer, the best values are considered to be within +20...+22°C; in the autumn-winter period, the most comfortable air temperature for aspidistra will be around +15...17°C.

Lowering the temperature to +10°C will have a beneficial effect on the plant, as it stimulates the active growth of green mass. The flower does not tolerate heat very well, so if the room is more than +25°C, then the air humidity should be increased by spraying.

The plant needs to be watered regularly, but moderately. The next watering is carried out only after the top layer of soil in the planting container has dried. During the period of active growth, the substrate is moistened 2-3 times a week; in winter, once every 7-10 days will be sufficient.

Use well-settled water at room temperature. It is recommended to periodically spray the leaves and wipe them with a wet cloth or wash them in the shower.

Some experienced gardeners practice growing aspidistra in the garden, where it is transplanted for the summer. It is recommended to place the crop separately from other flowers, because a single bush looks more advantageous.

What kind of soil is needed?

The plant is not picky about the composition of the soil. Use any ready-made universal soil for indoor crops.

You can prepare the soil mixture yourself from the following components:

leaf soil - 1 part;
coarse river sand - 1 part;
turf soil - 2 parts;
peat - 1 part;
humus - 1 part.

Feeding and fertilizer

To get a beautiful and decorative flower, you need to periodically apply fertilizer. Fertilizing is carried out during the growing season (spring and summer) once every 10-14 days. Any universal mineral complexes for decorative leafy indoor crops are suitable. In winter, the flower does not need additional nutrition.

Transplantation and propagation

Aspidistra does not grow fast, so it is replanted no more than once every 3-4 years. The transplantation procedure is carried out in late spring or early summer using the transshipment method. Carefully remove the earthen lump from the container, being careful not to damage the roots.

The flower is propagated by dividing the bush, seeds and rooting leaf blades.

The simplest method is dividing the rhizome, which is carried out together with transplantation.

To do this, with a sharp tool, the bush is divided into several parts that have growth points and planted in separate pots.

Diseases and pests

Among insect pests, scale insects and spider mites can sometimes be found on aspidistra.

To combat them, use a solution of laundry soap and specialized preparations (actellik, akarin, phytoferm, apollo, etc.).

If the plant does not bloom for a long time, then it is necessary to reconsider the conditions of maintenance. Dark spots that appear on the leaves indicate hypothermia or the presence of a draft. Occasionally, the crop is affected by fungal infections (chlorosis), such a plant must be destroyed.

Aspidistra is a genus of plants in the Asparagus family, numbering 8 species. Belongs to the order Asparagusaceae, class Monocots. This is a perennial stemless herbaceous crop with a developed root system and a leaf height of about 55 cm. Aspidistra high has become widespread in indoor conditions. It is distinguished by very slow growth.

Aspidistra belongs to the most ancient cultures. Its homeland is the tropical lands of East Asia. In writings dating back to the Wei era, there are descriptions of the plant. Prefers shaded places. Long-term evolution has given the culture increased endurance combined with high adaptability, for which aspidistra is sometimes called the cast-iron flower. The Iron Lady also has another name - “snake indicator” (“asp indicator” - “flower”, which shows a crawling snake). Under this nickname, it is known to the general public due to the ability of the leaves to sway when they come into contact with the bodies of reptiles. Another name is “Friendly Family”, due to the developed root shoots.

From a scientific perspective, the "big leaves" are actually shoots. “True leaves” resemble scales and are needed by aspidistra to ensure the germination of shoots.

Flowering indoors is very rare. Flowers with a very short peduncle are located on the rhizome, almost on the ground, and are of no decorative value. They bloom only for one day. In wild conditions - during the monsoon rains - in January-March. In indoor conditions, aspidistra can delight you with flowers in winter, spring or summer.

Master florists often use aspidistra when composing wedding bouquets. Its wide and decorative leaves, which remain attractive for a long time, are often used to wrap flowering plants that cannot boast of their greenery. Bouquet arrangements are used to decorate brides' outfits, holiday photos, and halls for receptions. Special artificial textile ribbons that imitate the texture of an aspidistra leaf are popular.

Prices are affordable. For example, the price for aspidistra variety Elatior ranges from 2000-3500 rubles.

Types for indoor growing

It is believed that the presence of aspidistra in the home interior is a good omen, since the plant adds strength to character, protects its owner from gossip and helps resist harmful temptations. Like the acaya palm, spathiphyllum or dieffenbachia, it carries extremely positive energy.

In the wild, there are approximately 90-100 species of aspidistra.

For the purpose of growing indoors, the following varieties have become widespread:

Species name	Leaf Features	general description
Tall, Elatior	Dark green, glossy, large, forming a dense crown resembling a waterfall. The shape resembles lily of the valley leaves measuring 50 by 15 cm.	The rhizome is serpentine in shape. The flowers are brown-crimson or brown-yellow. The berry contains only one seed.
Variegata	The surface is covered with white longitudinal stripes of varying widths.	The bush is small, no more than 50 cm. Requires careful care.
Milky Way	Large, dark green, covered with white dots and spots without a specific shape.	This is one of the most famous varieties of variegated aspidistra. Resistant to drought and low temperatures. Flowering occurs in late winter - early spring. Single flowers.
Amanogawa	There are white dots in the center, the edges are topped with wide yellow stripes.	Derived from the Milky Way aspidistra.
Fuji no main (“Snow Cap”)	Wide, dark green, with lighter stripes on the sides. The top is decorated with a white “cap”, which, according to Japanese breeders, resembles the top of the legendary Mount Fuji.	Large variety. White tips appear only on mature plants.
Ginga Jaint	Large, spotted.	The most shade-loving variety. Frost-resistant. Withstands temperatures down to -10°C.
broadleaf	Has longitudinal wide white stripes.	Delicate culture. Blooms from February to March.
Yellow Hammer	The greenery is decorated with an abundance of creamy yellow spots.	This is the most variegated species.
Oblancefolia	Narrow green, width does not exceed 3 cm.	The plant is not tall, reaching no more than 60 cm. It blooms in early spring. The flowers are small and red.
Star of Nagano	Decorated with small yellow spots-stars.	Received fame due to its ability to bloom. It blooms brightly and abundantly, the flowers are reddish. The usual time is February.
Spider Man	Small, without stains.	In all its appearance it resembles a spider. The petioles are cobwebs, and the purple flowers look like arachnids.
Giant splashes	A distinctive feature is the presence of large greenish-yellow spots.	Developed in Taiwan.
Snow-white crown	Long, dark green, with wide white stripes	The pattern appears by the 3rd year of life.
Morning sun	As if “shaded” with narrow whitish-cream rays.	The decorative value of the plant increases with age. A large pot is required for growth.
Sichuan	Green, plain.	Blooms from January to March. The inflorescences resemble a bell with 6 petals.
Guangzhou	Dark green with yellow spots up to 20 cm long.	Blooms in May. The buds are purple or violet.
Large-flowered	Smooth, elliptical with contrasting spots.	The flowers are purple. Blooms in mid-summer, rarely. The diameter of the opened flower can be 5 cm.
Attenuata	Reverse ovoid in shape, dark green with slight inclusions.	The rhizome is creeping. It does not require special care. A small (3 cm) purple flower may appear in early summer.

Room care

Home care involves following a few simple rules:

The optimal place is in the back of the room.
Acceptable temperature is +18…+25°С.
Aspidistra does not like drafts.
Withering and darkening leaves indicate hypothermia or sharp fluctuations in air temperature.
The plant does not tolerate dryness and excess moisture. It is believed that “it is better to underwater than to overwater.”
It should be watered regularly using softened water (with a reduced content of chlorine and calcium ions).
Spraying with clean water is helpful. Dust should be removed with a soft cloth or sponge.
The best time for feeding is from April to October. Universal complex fertilizers have proven themselves well.

Seasonal plant care

Season	Location/Lighting/Humidification	Temperature/Watering	Feeding
Winter	Prefers shade, feels great away from windows, preferably on the north side. If light spots appear on the leaves, then the plant needs sunlight, and the lighting level needs to be increased. Wipe leaves when dirty. 1 spray per week.	+16°С. 1 time per week.	Not produced.
Spring		+18°С. Once every 6 days.	Depending on the variety. From once every 2-3 weeks to once every 6-7 weeks. Mineral fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are used.
Summer		+20°С…+22°С. Once every 5 days.
Autumn		+18°С. Once every 6 days.	Not produced.

Choosing a pot, soil, planting, replanting

Aspidistra loves light, fertile, slightly acidic or neutral soil. Deciduous soil mixed with peat has these properties. You can make the optimal soil composition yourself by mixing river sand, turf, leaf soil and manure humus in a ratio of 1:2:2:2.

Due to the fact that the plant does not tolerate transplantation well, since it has delicate roots, it is recommended to do it only when necessary. When the plant pot really gets too small. Recommended time: mid-spring. It is better to replant only young plants without clearing the roots of the old soil. The new flowerpot should exceed the old one in diameter by 4-5 hours. It is better to replant no more often than once every 3-4 years, placing a thick layer of drainage on the bottom.

The step-by-step transplant looks like this:

A layer of soil is poured into the pot for drainage.
To avoid injury to the roots, the plant is replanted using the transshipment method; it is not recommended to destroy the earthen ball.
Afterwards the flower is covered with soil. Accidentally damaged roots are sprinkled with charcoal.
The roots should not be buried; the root collar should be left on the surface.

It is better to place the pot with the plant on a stand, not very high, to prevent the soil and roots from cooling. Sometimes baskets are made for these purposes.

Trimming

The plant needs periodic pruning of old and damaged leaves in order to prevent diseases and maintain a healthy appearance. The leaves are cut off at the very rhizome.

Pruning improves the overall condition of the aspidistra, maintains its attractiveness and stimulates the growth of new leaves.

Reproduction

Aspidistra reproduces by seeds, by dividing the bush and through leaves:

Sessile small flowers in the form of pink or purple bells are located singly above the ground. Their diameter does not exceed 2.5 cm. After pollination, rounded fruits are formed, which, after full ripening, produce seeds. The seed can be used to further grow the plant. With this type of reproduction, the aspidista will grow for many years. The method is used to obtain new varieties.
Dividing the bush is the most convenient method of propagation. To do this, in March, the rhizome is cut into pieces by rosetting, with 3-5 leaves on each rosette. To avoid rotting, the cuts are sprinkled with charcoal, after which they are planted in the soil in small pots, which are recommended to be watered moderately in the first week at a temperature of +18-+20°C. A bush with fewer than 8 leaves should not be propagated by division.
To use a leaf as a means of propagation, it must be cut, removing the petiole until compacted at the base. The base of the leaf plate is placed in a jar of water, covered with film and left in a warm, bright place. After about 12-14 days, white roots appear on the leaf. If it begins to rot, but there are no roots yet, it is necessary to cut off the rotten part, replace the water and repeat the procedure. The appearance of roots can be accelerated by adding a growth stimulant to the water. After this, the leaf can be planted in the soil, covering it with a transparent glass.

Errors in care, diseases, pests

Problem	Causes	Manifestations	Solutions
Root rot	Excess moisture, activation of the pathogenic fungus.	Wilting and yellowing of leaves. The appearance of dark brown spots and white fluffy coating on the rhizome.	Removing diseased roots, treating “wounds” with ash, reducing the watering regime, using soil drainage.
Red spider mite	Lack of moisture, attack by insect pests.	Browning of leaves, appearance of pale spots and cobwebs on the back of leaves.	Weekly spraying with a soap solution or insecticides, scale insects can be collected manually (adult scale insects have increased resistance to insecticides). Increasing the frequency of watering.
Palm scale insects	Lack of moisture, attack by insect pests.	Yellowing and falling leaves, the appearance of small insects on them, as well as brown spots on the underside along the veins.
Non-infectious chlorosis (disease)	Watering with low quality water.	The leaves begin to turn yellow. The green color loses its brightness and fades. Leaf turgor is preserved.	Fertilizing with complex fertilizers and watering with clean water.
Infectious chlorosis	Plant infection by an infectious agent.	Rapid yellowing of leaves.	The disease has no cure. The plant is destroyed.
Sunburn	Exposure to direct sunlight.	The appearance of brown spots.	Transfer the plant to a shaded area.
Lack of development	Lack of nitrogen fertilizers.	Extremely slow growth.	Application of nitrogen fertilizers to the soil.
Water scarcity	Dry air against a background of high indoor temperatures.	Decrease in trade, wilting and yellowing of leaves, drying of their tips.	Spraying the plant, changing the frequency of watering. Moving to a cooler room.
Leaves losing color	Lack of light.	Leaves turn pale and lose their characteristic color.	Increasing the intensity of diffuse light illumination.
Leaves losing color	Excess fertilizer.	Leaves turn pale and lose their characteristic color.	Selection of fertilizers and frequency of fertilizing.
Excess moisture in the soil	Frequent watering	The leaves darken and become limp.	Removing excess water from the pan, reducing the frequency of watering.
Aphid attack	Insect pest activation.	Clusters of insects appear on young leaves. The leaves lose their shape and dry out.	Treating the plant with insecticides, including preparations containing permethrin.
Leaf spot	Frequent watering, infection with a pathogenic fungus.	The appearance of brown spots on the leaves surrounded by a yellow halo.	Removing diseased leaves, reducing the frequency of watering, using fungicidal drugs.

Medicinal properties, application

The benefits of using aspidistra preparations are determined by the presence of bioactive substances in its juice composition. Alkaloids have bactericidal properties, stimulate blood flow, promoting the resorption of hematomas.

Medicinal decoctions are used in the treatment of periodontitis, sore throat, cystitis, and gastrointestinal diseases. It is recommended to chew the leaves of the plant for bleeding gums. The juice can quickly stop bleeding. It is also used to treat bruises or open wounds.

To avoid harm to health, it is recommended to use medicines based on it under the supervision of a physician.

Aspidistra rejoicing (or tall) is an ideal plant for dark rooms, but also feels good in the light. Resistant to various external conditions, it was nicknamed “cast iron plant”. Like a real cast iron, aspidistra can withstand a wide range of temperatures, low humidity, low light and much more. The plant will easily tolerate your forgetfulness in caring for it. Another reason for the ideality of aspidistra is that the shiny leaves of the plant reflect light well, as a result, dark areas of the interior become lighter. Hence another name - “bar plant”, illuminating the dark places of the rooms. Its name in Japanese is Haran (flying and falling), the rising and falling leaves resemble a fountain.

Hundreds of varieties of aspidistra are known, but the most popular is Aspidistra rejoicing. The shiny, dark green leaves of the aspidistra grow up to 60 cm in length and are very similar to the leaves of corn. There is also a variegated variety - white stripes running along the leaf, and green leaves turning white towards the ends of the leaf. Light leaves brighten dark corners of rooms especially well. The dwarf variety of the plant is known as Aspidistra Minor (Teenage) and Aspidistra Milky Way (Milky Way). It has dark green foliage with white spots. You can create an attractive interior if you place all 3 of these varieties of aspidistra in decorative pots or containers.

Aspidistra sometimes produces purple-brown small flowers that appear at the base of the plant.

IMPORTANT: When purchasing aspidistra, you should take into account that it grows very slowly. If you need a large aspidistra, then it is better to immediately purchase a large specimen.

From the history

This plant was first described by the English botanist John Ker Gowler in 1822 and gave the name Aspidistra, associating it with the ancient Greek shield Aspis and wanting to show the high security of the plant, its resistance to an unfavorable external environment.

Along with the Kent palm, the aspidistra became a favorite plant during the Victorian era. In those days there was little bright light and good air in the houses. Many plants died in such conditions, but not the aspidistra, which grew and brought tropical exoticism into the room.

The genus Aspidistra (Asparagaceae) has more than 100 species. The most popular in cultivation is Aspidistra elatior, which is called the “cast iron plant”. It is native to the Eastern Himalayas, Taiwan, China and Japan.

The plant's unique ability to withstand an unfavorable environment is reflected in a number of events. Thus, in 1936, George Orwell wrote the novel “Keep the Aspidistra Flying,” which received worldwide recognition, and during World War II, Winston Churchill approved the purchase of a powerful radio transmitter made in the USA, which had the name “Aspidistra,” borrowed from the popular song “ The largest aspidistra in the world.

Ironically, like many “folk plants,” aspidistra is not always available in nurseries. Apparently this is due to slow growth.

Aspidistra is grown in pots measuring 15, 18, 20 cm in diameter. Measuring 30 to 60cm in height and width, the beautiful aspidistra bush is unparalleled and is an ideal plant for darkened rooms to add a tropical flair.