The Size of the Aspidistra Plant

Mature Size

• Aspidistra plants have a very slow-growing habit. A mature plant growing up to 20 years of age will often have a subtle height of 24 inches and a 36-inch spread -- this size is often achieved when the plant is grown in a garden location rather than potted. The leaves are an impressive size, typically growing 5 inches wide with up to a 36-inch length. However, your outdoor plant's size is easily stifled by windy conditions. A shady and wind-protected area prevents plant damage for normal growth year to year.

Light Influence

• The lack of sunlight is a large influence on aspidistra plant size. Although the leaves are large, they cannot photosynthesize as much energy as a full-sunlight plant species. They use their large leaf surface areas to absorb as much dappled and indirect light as possible. As a result of their low energy needs, they have amazing resilience to environmental temperatures. For example, aspidistra survives down to a cold 23 degrees Fahrenheit and tolerates up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Because they do not concentrate their energy on vigorous growth, they can redirect energy for root and foliage survival during extreme weather patterns.

Soil Conditions

• If you grow aspidistra from seedlings or divisions, you need to keep the soil moist and well-drained to establish the plant and encourage growth. As the plant acclimates to the new soil environment, it has drought tolerance in almost any soil condition. In fact, low soil-nutrient conditions are often the best habitat for these plants -- it simulates their natural forest habitat at the base of nutrient-thirsty trees. Do not allow the cast iron plant to remain in soggy conditions, however, since they can succumb to rot and disease.

Root System

• The size of your aspidistra plant is also influenced by its slow-spreading root system. This plant grows from rhizomes, or underground stems. Using part of the root as a nutrient and moisture storage organ, cast iron plants spread underground as the foliage stretches above ground. To propagate your plants, each rhizome can be divided and planted to increase the size and improve the appearance of your aspidistra garden.