Keep The Aspidistra Flowering

I have been pruning back our Aspidistra plants.  These have always been very popular with our customers.  Known as the ‘cast-iron’ plant due to their indestructibility (they are almost impossible to kill!), this plant was once a very popular houseplant and still are.  However, they will grow very happily outside and as long as they are well shaded they will retain their beautiful deep green foliage colour.  They form a lovely clump with good height and look very sub-tropical. 

They are also very popular with florists and flower arrangers.  Sometimes you will get a lovely white stripe through the leaves which looks great.  Known mainly for their leaves many people are surprised to know that they are flowering at this time of the year.  “My Aspidistra never has never flowered” is a common response.  This is because their flowers are found on the top of the soil and if the leaves are dense then they are very hard to spot.  

This is why I like to cut them back at this time of the year.  The flowers become visible and the new leaves will grow back thick and lush. 

Aspidistra with flowers at base

Close-up of flowers