This Houseplant Thrives On Little Water In The Winter & Is Easy To Maintain

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When your yard is buried in snow, cultivating some green-leaved plants indoors is tempting. Like at other times of the year, however, it can be tricky to find a houseplant that's a perfect match for your lifestyle. If you love houseplants but have struggled to grow thirsty greenery like calatheas and ferns, it might be time to try something fuss-free this winter. There just happens to be an indoor perennial that won't wither and die if you forget to water it. Cast iron plants are relatively drought tolerant. Plus, they require little care and not much light. Combined, this makes them a perennial houseplant that's almost impossible to kill. As a bonus, they're also pet safe.

The cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior), also known as the barroom plant, has a clumping growth habit and is beloved for its extra-large (18-inch long) upright leaves. The plant is sometimes mistaken for a hosta. The parent species has solid green foliage, but there are also attractive variegated cultivars. Some boast leaves striped with yellow, while others have foliage with white, star-like speckles. When the weather is cold outside, these houseplants provide a welcome dose of color and greenery to any room. Since they're also low maintenance and tolerant of occasional dryness, most indoor gardeners are eager to make room for one or two in their collection.

There are numerous care tips that will help your cast iron plant flourish, but maintaining correct moisture levels is particularly important. These plants grow slowly during winter and require less water. Along with making sure your cast iron plant is growing in well-draining soil all year long, you should cut back on watering during the cooler months. Wait until the soil is dry 2 or 3 inches below the surface before watering your houseplant. Don't give it just a little water. It needs a good soaking. Try not to let it dry out completely between waterings, either.

One feature that makes Aspidistra elatior such an easy to care for houseplant is its adaptability to low light. The plant is perfect for rooms where the lackluster winter sun doesn't reach. In fact, your bathroom is the perfect place to grow a cast iron plant — in many cases, at least. If you're not sure how bright — or not — any given room is, test it with a UNI-T Digital Light Meter. You're looking for luminosity levels of 200 foot candles for this houseplant.

You also need to adjust how much fertilizer you give your cast iron plant. Hold off on feeding altogether during winter. Instead wait until the plant starts growing again in spring before giving it some Osmocote Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food or a similar slow-release fertilizer. Apart from wiping dust from its leaves with a soft damp cloth, there's really no other special cold-weather maintenance required. They don't need extra humidity, don't need to be pruned, and should only be repotted if they're root bound (and that's a spring activity anyway).