How to Grow & Care for Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) Indoors

Chinese evergreen is a tropical perennial available in a number of cultivars that make excellent houseplants. Its large, glossy, lance-shaped leaves come in different color combinations with shades of green, silver, white, red, purple, and cream. Indoor plants rarely produce flowers.

In the Chinese practice of feng shui, Aglaonema is thought to bring luck, prosperity, and success. However, keep in mind that these plants can be toxic to dogs and cats.

Chinese Evergreen Care

If you're looking for a beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplant, Chinese evergreen may be the way to go. Beloved for its (nearly) hands-free care, the plant is simple to nurture.

• Plant Chinese evergreen in a well-draining potting mix.
• Place it in a location with indirect light and high humidity. A bathroom with a window is great.
• Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
• Feed with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer during spring and summer.
• You can bring the plants outdoors during warm summer months if the weather consistently exceeds 55°F.

Light

Darker green varieties of Chinese evergreens can grow in near-shade, while variegated varieties with lighter-colored leaves require a bit more bright light. Take care not to expose any variety to direct sunlight, as harsh rays easily burn the delicate leaves.

If moving your plant outdoors for spring and summer, slowly adjust it to the sun over multiple days and choose a spot that's mostly shaded.

Soil

Typically, a well-drained, slightly acidic potting soil is perfect for Chinese evergreen. If the soil retains a lot of water, try mixing in sand or perlite to boost drainage. Houseplant potting soil mixed with perlite is a reliable combination.

Water

Chinese evergreen does not tolerate soggy soil and prefers to be on the dry side. Only water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Frequency can be tapered off during winter months. Do not let your plant dry out completely.

Temperature and Humidity

These plants do not like cold drafts and don't tolerate temperatures below 55°F. The ideal temperature range falls between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid areas close to vents, windows, and doors where temperature may fluctuate.

Chinese evergreen requires a consistently high humidity level. To increase humidity around your plant, consider placing it in a kitchen or bathroom, or on a pebble tray. If your home is particularly dry, invest in a small space humidifier.

Fertilizer

Feed Chinese evergreens with slow-release pellets or liquid houseplant fertilizer twice a year, at the beginning and end of their growing season. Or, you can fertilize it lightly every month or so in spring and summer with water-soluble fertilizer.

Types of Chinese Evergreen

There are several popular cultivars of Chinese evergreen, including:

• 'Frasher': Features milky green leaves, with cream variegation and white petioles.
• 'Pseudobracteatum': Leaves are spattered with green-gray splotches, with white highlighting on the veins.
• 'White Rajah': Foliage has broad amounts of white coloration.
• 'Red Zircon': Green leaves with pink blotchy sections in the center.
• 'Silver Bay': Silver tinges in the center of predominantly green leaves.
• 'Maria': A shade-tolerant variety with dark green leaves and silvery stripes.

Pruning

Keep your plant looking lush by removing dead leaves. You may need to reach deep down in the center of the plant. You can remove discolored or dead leaves with clean pruners.

When stems become leggy, cut them back with a sharp, sterile tool just above the fourth or fifth leaf node. The pruned stem will produce new leaves, bringing foliage closer to soil level to create a fuller appearance. Spring or early summer is the best time to prune Chinese evergreen.

Propagating Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreens can be propagated using stem cuttings or by dividing the plants during repotting. Wait until summer when the weather is warmest.

Stem Cuttings

1. Use a sharp cutting tool to remove a stem several inches long.
2. Put the cutting in a glass of water in a spot that receives indirect sunlight. Roots should form in three to four weeks.
3. Carefully transfer your cutting to a pot filled with well-draining potting soil and keep it moist.

Division

1. Lay the pot carefully on its side. Use a trowel to loosen soil and gently pull the plant from the pot.
2. Lightly shake dirt from the roots. Tease apart the roots to separate a clump for repotting.
3. Repot the clump in a pot filled with well-draining potting soil.
4. Keep both the original plant and the divided plant moist for a few weeks until both are established.
   

Potting and Repotting Chinese Evergreen

Any material will do for a pot, though it's common to use decorative ceramic or clay planters. Choose a spot that is only a few inches wider than the current pot. Repot them every two or three years in spring or when you see roots growing out of the bottom of the pot.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

While not susceptible to many pests or diseases, Chinese evergreens can occasionally pick up a common houseplant issue like scale, mealybugs, or spider mites. These can be treated with neem oil.

Most other issues arise because the plant is kept too moist. Fungal infections and root rot are typical of an overwatered Chinese evergreen.

Common Problems With Chinese Evergreen

Curling Leaves

Free of most common problems, leaf curl is one caused by several maintenance errors. Temperature fluctuations, inadequate humidity, and underwatering all can cause leaf edges to curl up towards the center.

Increase the humidity in the air around your plant with a pebble tray or humidifier. Keep it in a warm location free of drafts. Remove dry, brown leaves.

Burnt Leaves

Exposure to bright direct sunlight causes leaf edges to turn brown and dry. Move your plant to a location with indirect or filtered light.

Yellow Leaves

These plants prefer drier rather than overly moist soil. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering. Choose pots no more than 1 or 2 inches wider than the rootball.

From: thespruce