If you are looking for a houseplant that will beautify your salon room, then the Chinese evergreen plant is the right choice for you. Growing a Chinese evergreen plant is easy and fun. Learn How to Grow Chinese Evergreen at home.
Chinese evergreen is an attractive decorative plant native to Asia with several interesting varietals. They all have large, narrow, and glossy oval leaves on short stems, and flowers (on older plants) that bloom in spring or summer. The Chinese evergreen is one of the most popular houseplants and its color variations—from dark green and silver to red—add personality to your home’s decor. Chinese evergreens are slow-growing and make excellent indoor foliage plants that can be potted and cared for year-round. Take care if you have pets because the plant is toxic to dogs and cats.
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 grow Chinese evergreen to see if it’s the best choice for your home.
What kind of light and climate does a Chinese evergreen need?
These plants are one of the few that won’t simply tolerate low lighting, but can actually do well in it. Many people like Chinese evergreens for office plants and rooms without windows because they can grow from just being exposed to artificial light. They can also handle bright indirect sunlight, but be conscious of direct sun as it can burn the leaves. In terms of soil, Chinese evergreens have been known to do well in both peat-based potting soil and soil with perlite. But because it’s a hardy plant, most indoor potting soil mixes will do just fine.
It’s best to keep these plants between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. While sweltering heat doesn’t mix well with Chinese evergreens, it’s cold, drafty rooms that you should be more careful of. These plants thrive in warmer temperatures with a bit of humidity as opposed to super chilly and dry conditions.
Species, Cultivars and Varieties
The Chinese Araceae family is full of plants that are evergreen and can be found in shades from vibrant pink, red or green.
The most well-known member of this group is known as an Aglaonema platyphyllum (or AGL) also called Red leafed Aloe – they’re usually grown for their large leaves. According to Feng Shui, this variety brings good luck and fortune when grown at home.
Chinese evergreen varieties are a popular and enduring type of plant.
Some well-known examples include:
The Silver Queen plant is a beautiful, delicate-looking type of succulent. The leaves are dark green and have silver or cream colored stripes on them that give it an elegant look with its skinny appearance in between the branches for any room décor!
Aglaonema ‘Siam Aurora’ is an interesting plant with lime green leaves and red veins.
Edgy White: A bright white edge highlights this plant’s dark green leaves.
‘Silver Bay’: Silvery leaves surround a green margin.
‘Maria’: A favorite of mine, Aglaonema ‘Maria’ has long and narrow leaves in light or dark green.
The Pink Dalmatian has heavy, leathery green leaves with pink spots.
“Sparkling Sarah” is a garden favorite. It’s got the gentle, creeping stems and beautiful vibrant pink veins of an aglaonema to make it popular among lovers of succulents!
How to Grow Chinese Evergreen as a Houseplant
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 watering’s 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 watering’s 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.
How to Propagate Chinese Evergreen
To root new plants, make six-inch stem cuttings just below a set of leaves from spring to early summer. Strip the leaves from the bottom half of the cuttings. Put them in water in indirect light. Once roots begin growing, usually after two or three weeks, transplant the cuttings into containers filled with three parts houseplant potting mix and one part perlite and keep them moist.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
While not terribly susceptible to pests or diseases, the Chinese evergreen can occasionally pick up a common houseplant issue like scale, mealybugs, or spider mites. These can be treated with an insecticide or neem oil.
Most other issues arise because the plant is kept too moist, and fungal problems (and root rot) are typical of an over-watered Chinese evergreen.
