Variegated Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Kinboshi'

Regular price £35.99
/
Regular price £35.99
/
Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Kinboshi' Plants GrowTropicals

Variegated Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Kinboshi'

Regular price £35.99
/
Regular price £35.99
/
Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Kinboshi'

Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Kinboshi'

12cm

£35.99

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Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Kinboshi' is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial cultivar of a South Chinese species, grown for its upright, leathery leaves marked with pale yellow spotting and a lime-yellow halo around each spot. 

Aspidistra sichuanensis itself is native to south-central and south-eastern China and grows as a rhizomatous forest-floor plant in the subtropical biome. ‘Kinboshi’ keeps that steady, clump-forming habit, with long elliptic to lance-shaped leaves arising individually from the rhizome. For indoor growing in the UK, that points to an easy-going plant that copes well with lower light than many houseplants, prefers moderate watering, and does best away from strong direct sun.

Native to: The cultivar ‘Kinboshi’ is of garden origin, but the species Aspidistra sichuanensis is native to south-central and south-eastern China. It is a rhizomatous geophyte from the subtropical biome. The species has solitary leaves with petioles and lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate blades, sometimes naturally showing yellowish white spotting, which helps explain the speckled pattern seen in selected cultivars such as ‘Kinboshi’. ‘Kinboshi’ is a clump-forming plant with glossy dark green leaves carrying pale yellow spots with a brighter halo.

Water: Water regularly through spring and summer so the compost stays lightly moist, but never waterlogged. Let the upper part of the compost dry slightly before watering again, then reduce watering in winter. This plant is more likely to suffer from soggy compost than from being kept a little on the dry side for a short time.

Light: Low to bright filtered light suits it well. It will tolerate shadier positions than many indoor plants, but the best leaf colour and steadier growth usually come with good indirect light. Avoid strong direct sun, especially midday or afternoon sun, as it can scorch the leaves.

Humidity: Average indoor humidity is usually enough. Around 40 to 60% is suitable, and it generally does not need the very high humidity demanded by many tropical foliage plants. Keep it away from very dry heat sources where possible, especially in winter.

Temperature: Aim for about 10 to 20°C for steady indoor growth, with room temperature conditions suiting it well. It dislikes excessive heat above about 20°C and should also be protected from very cold conditions and cold draughts. In a UK home, a cool to mildly warm room is usually a better match than a hot windowsill above a radiator.

Diameter 12cm
Approx Height 25-50cm
Safe For Pets
Suitable For Shady Spots
  • Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

    It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

    If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
  • Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

    If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

    That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
  • There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

    Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

    When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

    We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
  • First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

    Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

    It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

    Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

    Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
  • Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

    During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

    That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

    The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit. Whether grown in our own nursery or sourced from trusted partner growers, every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something isn't right on arrival, we'll make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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What Our Customers Say

“Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.”

Emily P.

“Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.”

James R.

“Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.”

Sophie L.

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

See What's In the Box!

See behind the box with these awesome unboxing videos from some of our favourite Youtubers.

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Unboxing video
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Unboxing video