Milky Way Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Milky Way'
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-11 Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Perennial
Height at Maturity: 24-30"
Width at Maturity: 30-36" or so
Spacing: 24" for mass plantings; 48" or more for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Clumping, Vase Shape
Growth Rate: Slow or Moderate
Flower Color: None
Flower Size: -
Flowering Period: -
Flower Type: -
Fragrant Flowers: -
Foliage Color: Deep Green speckled with White
Fragrant Foliage: -
Berries: -
Berry Color: -
Sun Needs: Full Shade to Part Shade (no afternoon sun)
Water Needs: Low when established
Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well-drained moist to somewhat dry
Soil pH: 4.5 - 5.5 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer - more info, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Rabbit, Deep Shade
Description
One tough evergreen perennial plant that lives up to its name, the 'Milky Way' Cast Iron Plant will practically grow in the dark, loves the heat, and isn't phased by arid, dry conditions. This makes it a perfect choice for planting in those difficult-to-fill areas in deep shade, even under large shade trees and decks. Lush, upward-facing, deep green leaves speckled with white form attractive clumps that provide bold texture and contrast in the shade garden. It can be grown as an evergreen perennial outdoors in zones 7a-10b and ranks right up there with snake plants and Philodendrons as an almost indestructible houseplant.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing in an upright clump to about 3 feet tall and wide, the Milky Way Cast Iron Plant is ideal for use as an accent, in groupings, or as a border in shady to partly shady garden beds, home foundation plantings, and it grows very well under the canopies of large shade trees, decks or any other heavy-shade environment. It is an almost indestructible houseplant and is excellent as a solo or combined with other shade-loving plants in container gardens. A fine addition to the tropical-look garden, perennial shade gardens, cut flower gardens, cottage gardens, and woodland and rock gardens.
Spacing: 24 inches apart for mass plantings or solid borders; 48 inches or more apart for space between plants
How To Measure Total Square Feet Of A Planting Area
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Growing Preferences
Milky Way Cast Iron Plant thrives in dense shade to part shade and almost any well-drained soil with average fertility. Morning and evening sun are okay, but avoid exposing this plant to direct afternoon sunlight. When grown as a houseplant, use a container with a drainage hole(s) and a light premium potting mix. When grown outdoors in pots, use premium potting soil or a 50/50 mix of potting soil and potting mix.
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