Plant Profile: Chinese Evergreen

Firecracker Aglaonema

I just purchased an Aglaonema (or Chinese Evergreen) last week, and in preparation for its care I've put together a plant profile!  Some houseplants can be a little picky, as I'm sure we've all found out the hard way, but not the Chinese Evergreen! This durable little plant is great for the novice houseplant keeper just getting started or the experienced houseplant keeper who is looking for a plant that needs just a little less attention.

The Chinese Evergreen is a popular plant that comes in a variety of leaf patterns, sizes, and shapes.  There are at least 32 varieties according to plantandflowerinfo.com! I grabbed a Firecracker one and was blown away by how beautiful it was! These plants, depending on the variety, can grow 8 inches to 4 feet tall! But these plants grow slowly so they won't outgrow their homes too quickly and will give you plenty of time to find a new pot or home for them as they grow.  If your house is a comfortable temperature for you, then your Chinese Evergreen will be comfortable too! Just make sure to keep them away from any cold drafts or AC/heating vents.

Soil

Any good quality potting soil will do for these non-fussy plants but Chinese Evergreens prefer to be placed in well-draining soil.  A good mix of soil, perlite, and sand will make your Chinese Evergreen very happy!

Light Needs

These plants can thrive in medium to low light or even indirect light. You can place it pretty much anywhere in your home and it'll be happy.  Chinese Evergreens don't need natural light to thrive, which makes it a great plant to keep in the office!  Make sure to rotate them around (like all your plants) so that the plant can get an even amount of sun!

Watering Needs

These plants do great with moderate watering; water every couple of weeks or when the soil is dry.   The leaves can yellow if it's not getting enough water or if it's getting too much water, so getting it on a good watering schedule will help you out.  I'm planning on sticking a water stick in the soil to monitor the moisture levels since it'll be an office plant.  

Chinese Evergreens are native to subtropical-tropical regions so they like a bit of humidity.  But these plants are pretty hardy, so if you live in a dry place your plant will probably do ok.  If you notice some brown tips you can mist them a few times a week to help them out.  Or move them to the bathroom when you shower and move them back when you're done!

Fertilizer

These plants don't need too much by the way of fertilizer.  Fertilize older Chinese Evergreens once or twice a year with a water-soluble fertilizer.  If you do decide to fertilize your plant, make sure to do it either in the spring or summer, or every six months if following a twice-a-year scheduled

Pests

Like any houseplant, Chinese Evergreens can get pests.  None of my plants have ever gotten pests but make sure to inspect your plants regularly for pests because they can travel to your other plants and they can be a real pain to get rid of!

Pet Safety

Chinese Evergreens are considered to be toxic to pets, so keep an eye out for your animals and plants.  The ASPCA has more info on this plant for you here.

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