Aspidistra are sometimes known as the Cast Iron Plant because they’re almost impossible to kill. They’re practically bomb-proof (we have not tested this). If you forget to water yours, give it a dark spot and just generally forget it exists for a bit, it will merrily make do on its own.
They’ve built up that tolerance for poor conditions by growing in the shade under larger trees in China and Vietnam. Their resilience has made them an extremely popular houseplant, because anybody can care for one. If you’re just beginning your plant parenting journey, there’s no better starting point. You’d have to try weirdly hard to kill him (don’t try).
Did you know?
The aspidistra was massively popular in Victorian times, because it easily tolerated the poor light and air quality of 19th century homes.