Cast iron plant care in Melbourne

Which window suits a cast iron plant

In Melbourne the sun sits to the north, so north windows are the brightest and south the softest. Where it does well, by window and distance from the glass:

• N

  North-facing window

  2.5 h of sun in summer · 9 h in winter
  On the sillToo sunny

  1-2 m backToo sunny

  Far sideGood
• E

  East-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillToo sunny

  1-2 m backToo sunny

  Far sideGood
• S

  South-facing window

  1.5 h of sun in summer · 0 h in winter
  On the sillToo sunny

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideGood
• W

  West-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillToo sunny

  1-2 m backToo sunny

  Far sideGood

A Melbourne year with a cast iron plant

If something looks wrong

• Soft, mushy base or leaves

  Too much water: the usual way these are lost. Let the soil dry right out, and in winter water only every 21 days or so.

• Pale or scorched patches

  Direct sun through glass. Move it 1-2 m back from the window, or behind a sheer curtain.

• No new growth for months

  Normal in a dim spot, and in winter anywhere. It grows faster with more light, but it will not die without it.

• Fine webbing or white fluff under the leaves

  Spider mite or mealybug, most often as the weather warms. Wipe it off and check again in a week.

Plants that like the same light

• Snake plant
• ZZ plant
• Rubber plant
• Dracaena
• Umbrella tree
• Dumb cane