About
Aspidistra pulchella is a rare, clump-forming, evergreen perennial that spreads via rhizomes. It features broad, paddle-like green leaves. In June, it produces sizable yellow flowers, accented by dark maroon edges and centers, which emerge directly from the rhizome. This plant thrives best in containers placed in shaded conditions, as direct sunlight can fade its foliage.
About the genus
Aspidistra are perennial plants that grow from rhizomes, characterized by their upright, leathery leaves which can be either elliptic or lanceolate in shape. Their flowers, which are brownish and not particularly noticeable, develop directly from the rhizome.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Houseplants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- As a houseplant, grow in pots of peat-free, loam-based potting compost. Although shade tolerant, growth is best in bright, filtered light with a minimum temperature of 7°C. Water to keep compost lightly moist and apply a general liquid fertilser monthly from May to August. Outdoors grow in moist but well-drained, fertile, sandy loam with added leaf mould, in full or part shade with shelter. Direct sunlight may bleach the foliage. See houseplant cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and vine weevil larvae
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free