Care Tips
Habit: An upright, erect, slow growing perennial plant growing up to 100 cm tall producing shiny, dark green elliptical leaves on long stalks. Flowers are rarely produced and small, reddish-purple and bloom at ground level.
Temperature: Plants grow best between 15 to 25ᐤ C and temperatures below 4ᐤ C may result in the death of the plant. Avoid placing plants in windy or drafty locations which can lead to less attractive plants.
Light Exposure: Plants grow well in low to moderate light levels and are adaptable to many areas within a house where most other plants will not grow; however, plants cannot grow in total darkness or full sun.
Watering: Aspidistra can be fairly drought tolerant storing moisture in its root system, however; watering once a week during the rainy season, once every two weeks in the cold dry season and once to twice a week during the hot dry season will be adequate.
Fertilising: Give plants a well balanced fertiliser once a month during the hot dry season and rainy season but not during the cold dry season when plants are resting (semi-dormant).
Pruning/Repotting: Remove drying leaves as necessary. Repot plants every four to five years or when it has outgrown its current pot when the roots are growing over the edge of the pot.
Pests/Diseases: Mealy bug, scale and Spider mites may attack plants and various fungal pathogens can cause a leaf blotch. Keeping plants healthy and well watered reduces the chances of insect or disease problems.