The name "cast iron plant" refers to this plant's ability to survive in growing conditions that range from dry to moist and in lower light conditions that cause many other plants to decline. After roots have formed, plant in a small pot. This is a great example of the problems associated with unnecessary repotting, the single most common cause of indoor plant problems. Cast-iron plants prefer low light conditions and average humidity. Sunlight will burn the leaves so be sure it is not exposed at any time of the day in order to ensure its attractiveness. One thing cast iron plants are susceptible to, however, is winter winds. Fertilize the plant in spring and summer, while the plant is actively growing. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra). Relationships between nutrients in soil and in plants are complex. Propagate cast iron plants by division. cast iron plant.jpg. I bought a moisture meter and now water when it's closed to reading dry. To learn more, read. The simplest explanation is that you have been overwatering your plant. Yellow leaves caused by overwatering will look like a mosaic of both yellow and green. If your plant has developed some brown tips, don't be too hard on yourself. If your Cast Iron Plant has brown tips, it’s possible your plant is underwatered. Leaves persist for several years if the plant is healthy and soil conditions and weather do … What does this mean? Thanks, Mike: Answer from NGA Q: My cast iron plant leaves have brown tips. Brown dead Haworthia leaf tips. The simplest explanation is that you have been overwatering your plant. Also known as iron plant and barroom plant, this native of China features long, oval-shaped, pointed dark green leaves that emerge from the soil with seemingly no stems and grow to two feet. A: This is usually a sign of watering issues. I have more than eight years of hands-on experience in the horticultural maintenance industry and shares many tricks of the trade. Fortunately, the Aspidistra is one plant that affords the luxury of trimming back those brown tips to restore the vibrant green look. Sulfur deficiency starts with the newest leaves, turning them yellow throughout. Choosing the proper environment for the plant and adjusting its watering to fit that environment are things that can make or break a green thumb. I have one litte tidbit on Cyclamen. Tips for Dead Leaves on Potted Plants & Brown Spots on Leaves. An excellent shade plant that requires little effort, the cast iron plant provides a tropical look to any shady setting. Although a Cast Iron plant is a member of the lily family, its flowers are very small and inconsequential. This system works wonderfully until the moisture reaches the cells located at the end of the line. About the Cast Iron Aspidistra. Too little can also spawn the problem. I have several large clumps of Aspidistra elatior in my shady garden, and their frayed and browned leaf tips were really bugging me. This is often area-specific, in certain areas water quality is worse than other areas. While the Cast Iron is a very resilient plant, like any other greenery it will show distress if neglected for long periods of time. I would point out that in most instances some degree of leaf browning is normal. Any tips on the dreaded cyclamen? They’re practically bomb-proof (we have not tested this). Question: The leaves of my indoor fig tree are turning brown, wrinkling and falling off. Yellow leaves caused by under-watering will look solid yellow and will fall off or detach with little to no effort. A ASPIDISTRAS are called the cast-iron plant because they can tolerate poor growing conditions such as weak light and low temperatures which would kill many other houseplants. The plant cells fill up, one by one, and attempt to pass the liquid on to the next cell by osmosis. So yesterday I pulled on my gloves, got out my hand pruners, and went to work on them. Rinsing your Cyclamen foliage with cool water and moderating the light exposure should help with Mites if they are an issue. Pruning Cast Iron Plant - Knowledgebase Question. The leaves will still be firmly attached to the plant. This is how it works; the roots wick up the water to the plant body. The cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is named for its ability to survive a wide range of conditions. If this happens, I simply cut off the brown tips with scissors. Since we know that the brown tips are caused essentially by too much water, the best preventative measure is to properly water your plant. Moderate diffused light is ideal, high light works with increased attention, no low light. At first I was only watering occasionally to avoid overwatering but then read that brown tips can also mean dehydration. I use filtered tap water. If kept in hot and dry conditions such as in front of a heater, the leaf tips will turn brown. It should cut down on the rotting stems, and yellowing leaves. Cast iron plants prefer full shade; they like the sun never to shine on them during the day. Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on September 08, 2011: Very useful information and I have bookmarked your hub for future use. Remove the bottom leaves and place the cutting in a glass of water. If rust does form, scrub it off with white vinegar and a sponge. If you’re looking for low-maintenance greenery that can survive low light, low humidity, irregular watering, and temperature fluctuation, the cast-iron plant is THE plant for you. Is it a fungus? The Cast Iron plant will develop a number of new leaves each year, and the plant will slowly extend outwards, reaching a maximum spread of about 3 feet. thoughthole (author) from Utah on December 17, 2017: Peter J, I am unfortunately not familiar with Pepper trees, so for best advice I would recommend speaking with someone at a local nursery that carries Pepper Trees. If overwatering has not satisfactorily explained your problem, then there may be another cause. If you're wondering "what's wrong with my plant? Please help me rescue my cast iron plant! How much water it likes (is it a heavy or light drinker? Try watering your cyclamen by simply leaving about 3 ice cubes on the soil (assuming its in a 4" pot you may need a couple more if 6"), see what happens. Many circumstances in a plant's environment can lead to browning leaves. New croton plants can be started with 4- to 6-inch stem cuttings. Disease abd insect free, it just keeps on growing and multiplying. Aspidistra elatior or the Cast Iron Plant belongs to the lily family and is native to China and Japan. Cold, drying winds can cause a condition called \"winterburn,\" which strips the moisture from the leaves, turning the edges and tips brown. I use filtered tap water. ", we will help you diagnose and treat it! If you do not suspect underwatering, consider the possibility of mineral accumulation. thoughthole (author) from Utah on September 08, 2011: Thank you for the feedback, I'll keep em coming. In addition to cleaning, you should re-season cast iron after each use. ... Soggy soil and salt accumulation can cause its leaf tips to brown. But its small purplish flower opens close to the ground, so often its overshadowed by the foliage and hardly noticeable to most. Another symptom of overwatering, one that is commonly confused with under-watering, is the appearance of yellow leaves. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. If you forget to water yours, give it a dark spot and just generally forget it exists for a bit, it will merrily make do on its own. Has only grown one new leaf in its life and many keep dying turn as... 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