Origin

All Aspidistra varieties come from Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam and the Eastern Himalayas. The variety elatior is the one most used in culture, once having been on many of the internal window sills of Europe. 'Shooting Stars' is new to commercial culture in the west but well known in Japan.

Care Instructions

Very few indoor plants can take the neglect that Aspidistras will tolerate, but grown in shade in a well draining fertile mix, they will become outstanding pot plants for the home. Apply diluted liquid fertilizer regularly in spring to autumn for the healthiest plants. In gardens, shade is necessary. Mulch when planting and fertilise with a slow release during the warmer months of the year. Over-watering usually results in death. Occasional insect attacks can be easily treated with commercially available organic products from your local nursery.

Uses

'Shooting Stars' is a useful plant for today’s lazy gardener who is so time poor. It will do well as a shady foliage ground cover under trees where it thrives once established without watering except in extremely dry times. In larger outdoor pots its foliage stands out when mixed among other potted foliage and ferns. Cut foliage polishes up well and is long lived in floral arrangements.