Common Name: Aspidistra

General Information

Aspidistra elatior is an evergreen, stemless perennial plant with a spreading rootstock. The leaves are up to 50 - 60cm tall, they arise singly from along the thick, fleshy rhizome, forming in time a thick mat of growth[].
The plant is widely grown as a house plant outside its native range and is also cultivated in gardens where the climate is appropriate - it can make an effective ground cover. It also has a range of traditional medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Japan (Kuroshima, Suwanose, and Uji Islands), Taiwan, Vietnam.

Habitat

An understory plant, found growing in forests beneath Ardisia crenata and Castanopsis sieboldii[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Slugs, Snails
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Aspidistra elatior is a plant of the warm temperate zone, though it can withstand occasional short-lived temperatures down to about -15°c if they are well sited[]. A plant growing under shrubs in Worcestershire, England (where frosts are common), has survived in the garden for over 30 years[].
Prefers a shady position in a humus-rich well-drained soil[, ]. Best sited in bright indirect light, it tolerates full shade but is generally intolerant of direct sun[]. Tolerates poor soils and drought[].
This plant used to be commonly grown as a house plant, it tolerates considerable neglect[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots, stems and leaves are febrifuge, styptic and tonic. The plant is said to strengthen bones and muscles[].
A decoction of the root, stems or leaves is used in the treatment of abdominal cramps, amenorrhoea, diarrhoea, myalgia, traumatic injuries and urinary stones[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Aspidistras can be grown as a ground cover in a shady position[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in the greenhouse. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts.
Division as the plant comes into growth in the spring[].
Suckers. Best removed in the autumn and grown on in the greenhouse for the first winter.