How To Care For The Oh-So-Hardy Cast Iron Plant At Home

Looking for a hardy houseplant that can withstand a little neglect every now and again? The cast iron plant is one tough one that deserves a spot in your greenery collection. Here's how to keep this slow-growing beauty alive (don't worry—it's super easy!).

"The cast iron plant is known as a very easy-care houseplant due to its adaptability and resilience," echoes Pangborn. "It can handle extremes in a watering regimen better than most houseplants and is also tolerant of lower-light conditions."

Now that you know the basics on cast iron plants, here's the nitty-gritty of how to take care of it indoors.

"If you notice this, leach the soil by placing the pot in a sink or tub and allowing a slow stream of water to run through the soil and out the drainage hole for five to 10 minutes. This will help flush out any mineral buildup," Pangborn suggests. "You might want to switch to filtered or rainwater to reduce fluoride exposure."

This means that you can get away with placing this plant in a slightly darker spot in your home, a few feet from a window. (Just remember that the less light it gets, the slower it will grow.) The one place you don't want to put the shade-loving cast iron plant is right in front of a south- or west-facing window that receives a lot of bright light.

Cast iron plants aren't finicky about soil; any well-draining houseplant potting mix will be fine for them. You shouldn't need to supplement their soil with fertilizer too often, either. Pangborn says that you'll want to use an all-purpose fertilizer (diluted to half-strength) about once a month during the spring and summer, at most. This guide to fertilizing houseplants will help you get the hang of it.

"This plant prefers room temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate temps as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit," says Pangborn. This wide range means that the cast iron plant can survive in cooler rooms than some of your other tropical houseplants.

The cast iron plant isn't too fussy about humidity levels either. It's one of the few plants that can survive in a steamy bathroom or a dry bedroom. Again, it's super adaptable. "Other environmental factors that can have a big impact on more sensitive houseplants—like temperature fluctuations or low humidity—don't even seem to bother the cast iron plant," Pangborn says.

Since they're so slow to grow, cast iron plants won't need to be repotted very often. Once every four to five years should be plenty. Just keep an eye on them and watch out for signs that they've outgrown their current home (including unruly roots and dropping leaves) before transferring them over to a new pot.

If you have a healthy cast iron plant that you want to divide into multiple plants, follow this quick guide. It's best to wait until spring or summer growing season to give it a try:

As you can see, the cast iron plant really isn't finicky. But there are a few instances where it could use some extra TLC. Here are some final tips to help you work through any potential hiccups.

The fittingly named cast iron plant is one houseplant that can handle the heat. As long as you don't give it too much water or sunlight, it can thrive in most conditions, making it a great option for houseplant lovers who travel often or don't have many bright spots left at home.