Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): All You Need To Know

The Aglaonema, commonly known as Chinese Evergreen, is a genus of highly decorative plants valued for their richly colored, patterned leaves. On top of their beauty, Aglaonema plants are also known for their adaptability to indoor environments and ease of care because they thrive in low light and aren’t very to keep. Their lush appearance and air purifying qualities make them an ideal choice for enhancing indoor spaces.

If you are a grower or run a nursery, then learning Chinese evergreen care, understanding its origins, and ideal growth conditions is the key to successful cultivation. Native to the tropical and subtropical rainforests of Asia and New Guinea, this plant is naturally adapted to thrive under the canopy of dense forests. This undergrowth habitat is the reason why it tolerates low light so well. If you want to learn more about this indoor plant, then keep reading until the end.

What is Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)?

Aglaonema belongs to the arum family (Araceae), along with Zantedeschia (Calla Lily), Angel Wing, Monstera, and Elephant Ear. Since it’s a perennial evergreen, Aglaonema plant is grown primarily for its beautiful leaves. The plant exhibits a compact, bushy growth habit, and often times the leaves emerge directly from the soil or a central stem. This compact growth pattern allows Chinese Evergreen to fill spaces beautifully with its lush, full appearance.

The sizes of Aglaonema plants can vary a lot based on the species and how it was propagated. They range from desk friendly plants to larger plants that can reach up to 4 feet in height and spread. With so many size variations, Algaonema is a versatile choice for different spaces and uses within the home or professional interiors.

Flowers of the Algaonema plant are less noticeable compared to its shrinking foliage. They appear as small white or greenish white spathes, but they aren’t the main attraction. Foliage is the star feature of the Aglaonema plant, with leaves that vary in color, pattern, and shape across different varieties, from solid greens to intricate patterns of silver, red, and pink you can even match them with the overall aesthetic of a room.

Chinese evergreen plants are hardy in USDA zone 10-12 which means they are not frost tolerant; they require protection from cold drafts and temperatures below 60℉ (15℃) making them ideal indoor plants in cooler climates. Due to their low temperature requirement, they are best planted as indoor plantings in homes in cooler climates and shaded tropical gardens in warmer areas. Its ability to improve indoor air quality adds to this plant’s utility and appeal.

Light Requirements for Aglaonema

Aglaonema can handle low light to bright indirect light and even thrive under artificial light, but some varities with brighter colours prefer a slightly brighter light than others. So when you are choosing an Aglaonema plant for a shop for example you would go with the standard green leaf variety. But if you are looking a plant for your shaded outdoor space then a variety with more colour variations would be a better fit.

Almost all Chinese Evergreens will live in lower light but colourful varieties might lose some of their color definition if they don’t get enough light. To help your Algaonema continue to receive maximum light, it is essential to keep them dust free. Clean their leaves with a damp, lint-free cloth that has not had any chemicals or cleaning products on it unwanted chemical exposure can potentially damage the leaves of Chinese Evergreens.

Watering and Soil Best Practices

Chinese Evergreens like to thoroughly dry out between waterings because they are drought tolerant plants. So if you go a bit long without watering it won’t harm the plant but when you do water, make sure it’s done thoroughly and the pot drains properly afterwards. If the plant looks droopy, it is a sign that you need to water it immediately.

When in doubt you can insert your finger in the soil an inch or two and feel if the soil feels dry. During the growing season water your Chinese Evergreens once a week but during winter you can extend the duration between each watering. If you notice yellowing in the leaves, it indicates overwatering and you should let the soil dry out properly before watering again.

In summer it is important to keep the soil of the Aglaonema moist and you can achieve this by watering once a week or once every one and a half weeks. Always pay attention to the amount of water the plant gets because Aglaonema doesn’t like wet roots. As soon as autumn arrives, you can shift to watering once every two weeks, and from then on you may water even less in winters to the point where you can leave the soil to dry out during colder months to avoid root rot.

Temperature, Humidity & Fertilisation

Keep your Chinese Evergreen in a warm spot, with temperatures between 65℉ to 80℉ (18℃ to 27℃) and avoid placing it in drafts or near heating and air conditioning vents. Since this plant is sensitive to cold. it should not be exposed to low temperatures.

As far as ideal humidity is concerned this plant enjoys a relatively high humidity over 65% to be precise but it can adapt to lower humidity levels that you would find in most indoor environments. However if your indoor environment is too dry you can consider using a humidifier or placing the plant on a pebble tray with water to increase humidity in the spot where the plant is placed.

Feeding Aglaonema with a balanced water-soluble fertiliser every month during the growing season ensures ideal growth. Reduce feeding in fall and winter when plant growth naturally slows down.

Common Pests & Diseases

Pests

• Spider mites: These tiny pests thrive in dry conditions and can cause the leaves to look dull. Increasing humidity and washing the plant with water often gets rid of spider mites.
• Mealybugs: You can recognize these pests by their cotton like white masses, they suck plant sap and weaken it. Removing them manually using a cotton swab or using insecticidal soap is the ideal way to get rid of them.
• Aphids: Small green pests suck sap from new growth and can be controlled by rinsing them off with water or treating the plant with neem oil.

Diseases

• Root rot: Overwatering is the main cause of root rot which causes roots to turn black. Ensuring proper drainage and letting the topsoil dry out between watering is a good way to prevent this disease. If root rot is detected, repot the plant into fresh well draining soil and trim away any rotted roots.
• Leaf spot diseases: Fungal or bacterial infection can cause this disease. Improving air circulation and avoiding wetting the leaves during watering can prevent this disease. Removing affected leaves and fungicide treatments can be used in severe cases.

Repotting and Pruning Guide

Repotting is not necessary every year but it is recommended to buy a larger pot every 2 years to give the plant room to grow. Repotting is best done in spring and you should choose a flowerpot that is at least 20% larger than the previous one. This gives the Aglaonema more space to grow and fresh soil has new nutrients that the plant can use.

Pruning is also not necessary for its growth, but it helps remove yellowed or damaged leaves, encouraging new growth. Pruning also promotes a more compact and attractive appearance and creates a bushy shape.

Best Aglaonema Varieties for Indoors

FAQs

Can Chinese Evergreen survive in low light?

Yes, Aglaonema thrives in low light conditions, which makes it perfect for brightening dim areas of the home or office.

How often to water Aglaonema?

Water once a week during the growing season and once every 1.5 weeks in summer. In autumn move to once every two week and in winter the soil can be dried out.

What causes yellowing leaves on Algaonema?

Yellowing leaves are often a sign of overwatering, poor drainage or exposure to harsh direct sunlight. Ensure the plant is drying out between waterings.