There’s no denying that cast iron plants are gorgeous evergreen houseplants. These low-maintenance plants are primarily known for their lush green leaves. However, cast iron plants can also bring several benefits to your home or office space. In this article, I’ll look at 10 amazing uses and benefits of cast iron plants.
- About Cast Iron Plants
- 10 Uses and Benefits of Cast Iron Plants
- 1) Cast Iron Plants Are Low-Maintenance Houseplants
- 2) Cast Iron Plants Have Beautiful Evergreen Leaves
- 3) Cast Iron Plants Can Tolerate Low Light Conditions
- 4) Cast Iron Plants Are Great for Feng Shui
- 5) Cast Iron Plants Can Purify the Air
- 6) Cast Iron Plants Can Improve Productivity and Focus
- 7) Cast Iron Plants Could Improve Sleep Quality
- 8) Cast Iron Plants May Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety
- 9) Cast Iron Plants Can Be Grown Outdoors
- 10) Cast Iron Plants Are Pet Friendly Houseplants
- Cast Iron Plant Uses and Benefits FAQs
About Cast Iron Plants
Cast iron plants (Aspidistra elatior) are beautiful evergreen perennials from the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). These popular houseplants are native to Eastern Asia. Cast iron plants grow in jungles and tropical forests in areas like Japan and Taiwan.
Also known as bar room plants, cast iron plants are best known for their lush evergreen foliage. These plants produce large, glossy, dark green leaves on upright stalks. Cast iron plants also spread via underground rhizomes, which makes them easy to divide.
10 Uses and Benefits of Cast Iron Plants:
1) Cast Iron Plants Are Low-Maintenance Houseplants
Cast iron plants are known to be some of the easiest houseplants to grow, especially for beginners. Interestingly, they are also known as bar room plants due to their impressive ability to tolerate neglect.
Cast iron plants are slow-growing houseplants that thrive in bright, indirect light or partial shade. These evergreen houseplants only need repotting every three to five years. What’s more, cast iron plants are somewhat drought-tolerant and only need watering once every week or two.
2) Cast Iron Plants Have Beautiful Evergreen Leaves
While cast iron plants are popular thanks to their low-maintenance requirements, they’re also famed for their fabulous foliage. Cast iron plants have large, glossy, evergreen leaves that are usually dark green. However, you can also get variegated varieties with attractive leaf patterns.
Protect cast iron plants from direct afternoon sunlight to help the leaves look as lush and healthy as possible. If left exposed to too much sun, the leaves can burn quickly.
3) Cast Iron Plants Can Tolerate Low Light Conditions
One of my favorite things about cast iron plants is their adaptability. While cast iron plants grow best in bright, indirect light, these brilliant houseplants can also grow in low-light conditions. Even when growing in shady areas, cast iron plants will produce strong, healthy growth.
Growing cast iron plants in low-light areas protects their leaves from direct afternoon sunlight. This means that cast iron plants are ideal for north-facing rooms.
4) Cast Iron Plants Are Great for Feng Shui
Cast iron plants are also great for feng shui. These lush houseplants are associated with the Wood element, which governs growth, creativity, prosperity, and renewal. According to the Bagua map, the Wood element is strongest in the eastern and southeastern parts of the home.
Positioning cast iron plants in these areas boosts the energy around family (East) and prosperity (Southeast). Cast iron plants can also dispel negative energy by filling empty spaces in our homes.
5) Cast Iron Plants Can Purify the Air
Ever since NASA’s Clean Air Study was released in 1989, we’ve known that houseplants can help purify the air. The air in our homes can contain harmful compounds known as VOCs. These chemical compounds come from household items like adhesives, paint, and vinyl flooring.
VOCs like benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Thankfully, cast iron plants can remove some of these VOCs from the air in our homes.
6) Cast Iron Plants Can Improve Productivity and Focus
Cast iron plants are excellent indoor plants for your home office. Not only can these plants purify the air, but they may also help boost productivity and focus.
One study conducted in several offices found that indoor plants can increase productivity by up to 15%. The participants also felt less stressed and more engaged when indoor plants were present in their offices. Sounds like an excellent reason to add a cast iron plant to my office.
7) Cast Iron Plants Could Improve Sleep Quality
Cast iron plants are a great addition to any room, including bedrooms. According to some studies, houseplants like cast iron plants could help us sleep better.
A Chinese study found that astronauts in long-term isolation slept better when they could see or smell plants. The data also showed that participants were able to better regulate their central nervous systems. The astronauts also displayed lower levels of cortisol, a common stress hormone.
8) Cast Iron Plants May Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Many of us have experienced stress or anxiety. However, several studies show houseplants like cast iron plants could help reduce stress and anxiety.
One study measured the stress levels of two groups of young men. One group was tested while working on a computer, and the other was tested while repotting a plant. The results showed that participants felt less stressed, more comfortable, and had lower blood pressure when working with the plant.
9) Cast Iron Plants Can Be Grown Outdoors
Although usually grown as houseplants, cast iron plants can also be grown outdoors in the right climates. Cast iron plants can be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 7 to 11. When grown outside, cast iron plants prefer partial shade for most of the day and require loose, well-draining soils.
However, cast iron plants will struggle in cold temperatures below 50ºF (10ºC). In colder climates, cast iron plants should be grown in pots. This allows you to bring them inside during the winter to keep them warm.
10) Cast Iron Plants Are Pet Friendly Houseplants
Many houseplants look great but can be toxic to pets like cats and dogs. Thankfully, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) lists cast iron plants as non-toxic. This means that cast iron plants are safe around cats and dogs.
However, curious pets can still suffer mild diarrhea or vomiting if they ingest part of a cast iron plant. These symptoms usually aren’t severe and should pass within a few hours.
Cast Iron Plant Uses and Benefits FAQs:
What Are the Benefits of Cast Iron Plants?
Cast iron plants provide a range of amazing benefits. These evergreen houseplants are low-maintenance and can tolerate some neglect. Cast iron plants may also purify the air and can even help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Where Do You Put Cast Iron Plants?
Cast iron plants thrive in bright, indirect light, and low light conditions. Position cast iron plants in rooms with east or north-facing windows. For optimal feng shui, place cast iron plants in the eastern or southeastern parts of your home.
Are Cast Iron Plants Good for Air?
Cast iron plants can help purify the air within our homes. These adaptable houseplants can absorb harmful VOCs such as benzene and formaldehyde. This can also help alleviate allergies like asthma.
Are Cast Iron Plants Pet Friendly?
Cast iron plants are pet-friendly houseplants that aren’t toxic to cats or dogs. That said, pets may still experience some mild diarrhea or vomiting if they chew on a cast iron plant.
Are Cast Iron Plants Good for Bedrooms?
Cast iron plants are good for bedrooms because they can purify the air. You may even sleep better with cast iron plants nearby. Cast iron plants can also tolerate low light conditions in bedrooms.
Cast Iron Plant Uses and Benefits – Wrapping Up
Although mainly known for their gorgeous leaves, cast iron plants have several amazing uses and benefits. These low-maintenance houseplants may help purify the air, reduce stress, and even improve productivity. Cast iron plants are also great for feng shui and can even be grown outdoors in Zones 7 to 11.
For more, see our in-depth guide to the best types of plants for small apartments, how to deal with common cast iron plant pests and diseases, how to deal with drooping cast iron plant leaves, when and how to fertilize cast iron plants, and how to fix yellowing leaves on cast iron plants.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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