Cast Iron Plant

June 2006

Can you please tell me what I need to add to the soil around the plant in the attached picture? I got it several years ago from a 100 year old lady and since I have had it the leaves always turn brown. I think it is called an IRON plant.

I think you need to move the plant. Cast iron plant - Aspidistra - is a shade plant, the more shade, the happier it is. From your picture, it looks like the plant is getting a great deal of sunlight, and that is why the leaves are burning. It is actually a pretty tough plant--thus the common name, but it doesn't like sun. Move it to the shade, cut off the damaged leaves, water and watch it bounce back.

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