Plant guide
Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior
Cast iron plant is considered non-toxic to cats. Confirm the scientific name Aspidistra elatior when shopping for your home.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: This guide covers Aspidistra elatior only. A shared common name or similar appearance does not establish that another plant has the same assessment.
Photo:
Photo details
Aspidistra-elatior-variegata.jpg
By frau-doktor
License: Public domain
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
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Photo:
Photo details
Aspidistra-elatior-variegata.jpg
By frau-doktor
License: Public domain
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Cast iron plant
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Aspidistra elatior and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Aspidistra elatior
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- Barroom Plant, Iron Plant
Find the right spot
How to grow this plant
Container growing guidance for Aspidistra elatior.
- Light
- Medium indirect light
Choose an indirect, shaded position. Avoid strong direct sun.
Tolerates lower light; growth or flowering may be reduced. - Watering
- Let the mix partly dry
Water once the mix is dry about two to three inches below the surface, then drain fully.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
A normal indoor growing range has not been established in this review.
- Potting
- Use a rich mix with good drainage.
- Through the year
- Reduce watering during slower winter growth. This plant spreads by rhizomes; established clumps can be propagated by division.
Growing-guide sources
- aspidistra elatior - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
Care guidance for the named taxon; indoor recommendations take precedence over outdoor hardiness information.
- Cast Iron Plant ↗Clemson Cooperative Extension · Accessed 2026-10-13
The article specifically gives this drying depth for container plants.
- Aspidistra elatior ↗Royal Horticultural Society · Accessed 2026-11-01
Indoor growing guidance for the named taxon; outdoor hardiness is not used as an indoor growing range.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-11-01. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.