Aspidistra

Aspidistra (Aspidistra) — a genus of perennial stemless herbaceous plants of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Native to Japan. Eight species occur in nature. In cultivation the tall Aspidistra - Aspidistra elatior - is grown.

A perennial herbaceous plant, it has an underground creeping rhizome, glossy leaves on long petioles, broadly ovate or lanceolate in shape, about 50 cm long and 15 cm wide. At the base of the leaf one can see 1 or 2 reduced leaves clasping the petiole. The flowers are small, purple, appear under the leaves on short stalks, sometimes hidden in the ground.

An Aspidistra with dark green leaves is considered one of the most undemanding houseplants. There is also a more attractive variety with variegated leaves; however it is more demanding in care, for example it requires better lighting. One of Aspidistra's advantages is that it tolerates polluted, exhaust-laden air fairly well. Aspidistra is not very responsive to excess or lack of moisture and the soil composition is not particularly important for it. Therefore Aspidistra can be confidently recommended to beginner gardeners as well as to those who have no time for meticulous plant care.

Temperature: Develops well under moderate conditions. In winter it requires cool conditions, preferably not above 15°C; the optimal temperature is 10-12°C, minimum 5°C. If kept in winter at temperatures above 20°C, regular spraying is required.

Light: In summer shade from direct sunlight, light partial shade. In winter Aspidistra needs good illumination.

Watering: Abundant from spring to autumn, in winter moderate or infrequent depending on the temperature.

Fertilizer: From April to September feed every two weeks with a special liquid fertilizer for houseplants.

Air humidity: Aspidistra tolerates dry air, provided it is not too hot. However regular spraying and washing of the leaves only benefit the plant.

Repotting: As Aspidistra tolerates repotting poorly, it is repotted only as necessary — every 3-4 years, in spring. Soil: a mixture of turf (2 parts), leaf mould (1 part), humus soil (1 part), peat (1 part) and sand (1 part).

Propagation: In spring, by dividing the clump when repotting. Aspidistra can also be propagated by leaf using a special technique. It consists of cutting a healthy leaf without the petiole so that the thick fleshy swelling at the base of the leaf (formed by reduced leaves similar to a sheath) is preserved. Then the cut leaf is dried and placed in a bottle with water (a bottle with a wide neck, like a kefir bottle). The bottle is closed with a lid and sealed with plasticine so that no air gets in. The bottle is placed in a warm and bright place. When roots appear on the cut, it is removed and planted in loose (preferably leaf) soil and covered with a jar or placed in an indoor propagator. If roots do not appear and the end of the leaf begins to rot, it can be cut back to healthy tissue (only at the thickened part of the leaf) and placed in clean water in the bottle again.