Several varieties of hybrid Chinese evergreen have been cultivated over generations. The popularity of the plant with indoor growers and homeowners alike have spurred and maintained the trend. They work both as casual accents to add color to any room as well as ornamental conversation pieces.
Many fake houseplants are actually modeled after the Chinese evergreen thanks to its incredible versatility. If you are ready to move on from plastic to the real thing, the Chinese evergreen, which is actually the genus aglaonema is a great place to start. All plants need general TLC in order to thrive, especially in indoor conditions. Unlike other indoor plants that need very specific care, the aglaonema is much more low maintenance.
The Chinese evergreen is very durable which makes it perfect for absent-minded homeowners or even children to care for. It thrives without much access to natural light and can survive without water for longer than most plants. There are several different color variations which means you can choose plants that fit the aesthetic of your room or create a colorful menagerie with a wide assortment.
The most popular of this slow-growing plant is the silver queen, which can be found in abundance worldwide. Instead of gambling with other houseplants, take a look at our guide on how to care for the Chinese evergreen to see if it’s the best choice for your home.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Varieties | Over 20 identified species |
| Original habitat | Tropics and subtropics of Asia |
| Height | Typically 3 feet, can grow up to 5 feet |
| Common Use | As a houseplant and in commercial spaces |
| Toxicity | Highly poisonous to dogs, horses, and cats |
| Light requirements | Low to moderate, never direct sunlight |
| Temperature | Best range is 68 to 77°F, can tolerate as low as 55°F |
| Watering | Soil should be moist but allowed to fully dry before next watering |
| Potting Mix | A mix of soil, sand, and perlite is ideal |
| Propagation | Can be done through seeds, tip cuttings, stem cuttings, or division |
| Known For | Easy care and resilience, making it ideal for beginners |
About The Chinese Evergreen Plant
- The hardy house plant has leaves that vary in color from species to species.
- The original form of the plant originates from the tropics and subtropics of Asia.
- Chinese evergreen plants are of the genus Aglaonema which has more than 20 identified species to date.
- The plant generally has a maximum height of three feet, but on rare occasions can grow to 5 feet.
- The Chinese evergreen plant in its natural habitat is found on the shaded floors of tropical forests in Asia and Southeast Asia.
- Cultivars can be found with speckles and streaks of color such as in pink, white, red, and yellow.
- Chinese evergreens are commonly used as houseplants and decorative plants in commercial spaces.
- Chinese evergreen is known by several names; A modestum, Emerald Bay, A. commutatum, Silver Queen, A pictum, Harlequin, and many others.
- Pest mostly avoids the Chinese evergreen and it is also resistant to most herbicides.
- Chinese evergreen plants are highly poisonous to dogs, horses, and cats.
- The plant thrives in low light and artificial light making it a great choice for indoor locations and climates with little to no sun.
- They need moderate to dry humidity to grow and should be allowed to dry out between waterings.
- The plant was discovered in the 19th century in Asia, but mostly known only in Germany until after the Great War.
- While the plant may live for as long as eight years, it should be repotted every two years to give the roots ample space to expand.
Chinese Evergreen Plant Features: An Overview
- Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema, is a durable plant that thrives in indoor environments.
- The leaves of the Chinese evergreen are large, green and have various veins of color depending on the species.
- Young Chinese evergreen plants are small enough to house on the top of a table or desk, perhaps even a window.
- When raised in a high light environment, the Chinese evergreen will sprout blooms that resemble cayla Lillies.
- The only bugs that may infest the Aglaonema are scales, spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs.
- Though slow-growing, mature Chinese evergreen plants will grow to be at least three feet tall and should be situated on the floor in a large pot.
- The surface of the Chinese evergreen leaf has a slightly waxy texture which helps it to repel pest and dust.
- Different species of Chinese evergreens have different colors along the edge of their leaves which makes them particularly useful for home decorating.
- The Chinese evergreen leaves though varied in size all have a lance-like shape atop short stems.
- Too much watering can lead to root rot in the Chinese evergreen.
- It is important to keep this plant out of reach of family pets, particularly dogs and cats. The plant is highly toxic if consumed.
- The plant will remain idle in light that is 10 foot-candles or less. It will grow slowly with any amount of light over 10 foot candles.
Growing The Chinese Evergreen Plant
Chinese evergreens are very tolerant to low, light environments, though variegated evergreens will need moderate light to thrive. Aglaonema should never be placed in direct sunlight, instead, choose a shaded corner or area in your home that receives moderate or low ambient light. The best temperature range for this plant is 68 to 77 °F, however, they can also thrive in temperatures as cool as 55 °F.
Growing Chinese evergreen plants is much easier than other types of house plants. It will thrive in a pot filled with easy drain soil. A good mix of sand, potting soil, and perlite will ensure that it can soak up moisture without becoming overly wet. Low and moderate humidity is ideal for the Aglaonema, which is normal for most households. You should avoid placing the plant under fans or vents as it will dry out the soil and prevent proper growth.
Watering A Chinese Evergreen Plant
The Chinese Evergreen thrives when the soil is moist but does not need to be heavily watered every day. Water the soil well and then allow it to fully dry before the next watering. Overly wet soil or stagnant water in the pot will lead to root rot which can result in the death of your Chinese Evergreen. It is important that your plant is housed in well-draining soil so that any overflow from waterings will drain to the bottom of the pot and away from the roots.
The best potting mixture is soil, sand, and perlite, or consider adding a bit of bark to the mix. The pot you choose to house your plant should also have a medium size drainage hole on the bottom. You can double pot the plant in a holed pot that sits on top of a decorative tray as well. This will prevent the plant from becoming waterlogged and developing root rot. There is no cure for root rot so it is best to prevent it entirely. Only water your Chinese Evergreen when the top two inches of soil has dried.
The Chinese Evergreen thrives in humid environments with moist soil, however, it is also able to store moisture. This means that even with infrequent waterings the plant will survive with no issues. It is important to water the plant at least once per week and keep it away from cold conditions.
Pruning Your Chinese Evergreen Plant
Trimming or pruning the plant is optional. If you have a certain look that you would like to achieve, then you can trim the leaves accordingly. The plant is slow-growing, so other than dead leaves, it can be left to its own growth patterns. Most Chinese Evergreens will grow straight up, but if you would like it to grow horizontally, simply cut the leaves back on a regular basis. This will make the plant appear more like a bush as opposed to a miniature tree.
Propagating A Chinese Evergreen Plant
Propagating a Chinese Evergreen is fairly simple. You can use seeds, tip cuttings, stem cuttings, or via division. If your plant sheds the bottom leaves leaving the lower portion bare, you can take a piece off of the top of the plant and allow it to root in fertile soil. The most common way to create more Chinese Evergreen plants is to split the plant as it grows from the root up.
To grow a new plant from a stem cutting, simply take a healthy stem from a mature plant. The cutting will need to be several inches long, so it is important to propagate from a mature plant. In fertile soil that has been treated with a rooting hormone, plant the cutting and allow it to take root. Alternatively, you can encourage roots to grow along the bottom of the cutting by suspending the end in a jar or glass of clean water. The root emergence from a Chinese Evergreen cutting is about three weeks.
The best time to propagate is in the middle of summer when the heat is the most intense. If you live in a low heat area, you can house the cutting in the kitchen or near any other gentle heat source.
- LIVE INDOOR PLANT: Bring home a beautiful Chinese Evergreen for a tropical feel. These houseplants are lush and green, ready to liven up any space. They also improve room aesthetic, bringing a focal point to any living room, office, and bedroom décor
- STUNNING HOME DECOR: Chinese Evergreen arrives potted in a stylish plant pot, meaning you can unbox the plant and enjoy instantly. This pairing adds unique flair to any interior space, making Aglaonema a one-of-a-kind statement piece in any indoors space
- ELEVATE MOOD & WELLBEING: Plants make us happy. They give us life, fresh air and a sense of calm - all of which have the ability to lift your mood and improve your wellbeing. NASA studies show having plants improves mood, creativity and reduces stress
- GREAT GIFTING IDEA: Plants can be delivered to your loved ones for any occasion, including birthdays, anniversary, and housewarming. Enjoy peace of mind that every plant is well packaged, farm fresh, and ready to impress with your gift message
- AIR PURIFIER: Live Chinese Evergreen plants are known as air purifying houseplants, helping to remove harmful toxins and pollutants from the air that create a cleaner and healthier living environment for all to enjoy
- INDOOR HOUSE PLANTS: Each order contains 4 Chinese evergreens (aglaonema) in 4 inch pots for plants. These decorative plants are fabulous desk plants or balcony decor. Enjoy low light house plants for delivery prime - order today, unbox fast.
- REAL INDOOR PLANT DECOR: This evergreen plant is one of the best indoor plants for clean air. Display our aglaonema plant pack with other live house plants in an indoor planter or cute nursery pots for green decor that removes toxins from the air naturally.
- CHINESE EVERGREEN AGLAONEMA: Our Chinese evergreen plant makes the perfect house plant. These live indoor plants add character alone or with other exotic plants. Display as a houseplant, or repot in planters for outdoor plants in warmer climates.
- PLANT GIFTS FOR PLANT LOVERS: This plant pot set makes it easy to construct unique gardening gifts. Pair with other cute plants and outdoor gifts like potting soil, small plant pots, and planters for thoughtful plant lover gifts for women you love.
- ABOUT PLANTS FOR PETS: Plants and animals make everything better, from simply raising our spirits to enriching our everyday lives. That’s why a portion of every purchase is directed to our mission to help place shelter animals in happy homes.
- Aglaonema Crystal Bay is an eyecatching indoor plant with striking variegated leaves, featuring shades of green and silver.
- Its compact size, ranging from 8 to 15 inches, makes it perfect for decorating small spaces or adding a touch of nature to your office desk.
- This plant is extremely lowmaintenance and is an excellent choice for beginners, as it can tolerate low light conditions and infrequent watering.
- Aglaonema is known for its airpurifying qualities, helping to improve the air quality in your home while adding a touch of elegance to your decor.
Last update on 2024-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In Conclusion
Taking care of a Chinese evergreen houseplant is much easier than most people realize. They are the perfect plants for older people who have problems with mobility, or even for absent-minded homeowners who may forget to water plants every day. Overwatering can lead to root rot which should be avoided at all costs, and make sure to keep pets away from the leaves.
Adding a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer twice a year will give this slow-growing plant a healthy nutrient boost. Mature plants may bloom in the summer with enough light, and as the plant gets larger, propagating can be completed with the pruned parts. The leaves will collect dust along their waxy surface which can be wiped down with a cloth or sprayed with a water bottle. Of all houseplants, Chinese evergreens are among the easiest to care for which makes them a perfect choice for beginners.
Chinese Evergreen FAQS
Do Chinese evergreens need a lot of sun?
No, Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema) do not need a lot of sun. In fact, they’re known for their ability to tolerate lower light conditions. Bright, indirect light is ideal for these plants. Direct sunlight can cause their leaves to burn.
How often do you water a Chinese evergreen?
Chinese evergreens prefer the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Typically, you should water your plant once a week, but this can change depending on the humidity and light levels of the room. It’s important to avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.
What kind of soil does a Chinese evergreen need?
Chinese evergreens prefer a well-draining soil. You can use a standard potting mix, but consider adding some perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH levels.
How do you care for a Chinese evergreen tree?
Care for a Chinese evergreen involves giving it the right amount of light, watering it properly, and ensuring it has the correct soil type. Keep it in a room with bright, indirect light and water it when the top 1-2 inches of soil have dried out. It likes high humidity, so consider placing it on a pebble tray with water or near a humidifier. Regularly dust its leaves and keep an eye out for pests.
Why is my Chinese evergreen dying?
If your Chinese evergreen is dying, it could be due to a number of reasons including overwatering, under watering, too much sunlight, or a pest infestation. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while under watering can dehydrate the plant. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves, while pests can harm the overall health of the plant.
What does a Chinese evergreen need to survive?
Chinese evergreens need a few specific conditions to survive:
- Light: Bright, indirect light.
- Water: Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
- Soil: A well-draining soil mixture.
- Humidity: They like high humidity and would do well with a pebble tray or humidifier.
- Temperature: They prefer warmer temperatures, ideally between 65-80°F (18-27°C).
It’s also important to keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Regularly dusting the leaves can help keep these pests at bay.
1 Comment
How deeply should this plant be planted. Mine has a long twisted trunk.