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Cast Iron Plant Care, Aspidistra Elatior

Cast Iron Plant - Aspidistra

Question: I need to find a tough indoor plant that can double as an outdoor patio plant for a shaded area. What kind of plant would work?

Answer: A great plant for both indoor and outdoor areas is the Aspidistra. Also known as Cast Iron plant, this plant will survive in lower light but will flourish in bright, shaded areas, even out of doors. These plants can withstand temperatures below freezing and they have earned the name of Cast Iron Plants.
Aspidistra elatior is the variety generally used as a houseplant. Most often found is the all-green foliage but you may also be able to locate a variegated type of this plant, Aspidistra Milky Way, from specialty plant shops or special order through an interior landscape company.
They can be used outdoors but should be kept out of the sun as the leaves will tend to become pale and scorched looking.
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