Ever heard of plants that make novice gardeners/farmers feel like an expert? In the world of gardening, while there are tons of houseplants that require efforts to get them to live and stay beautiful, however, there are few other plants that do not require so much effort to grow.
One of these is the Chinese evergreen. In its origin, the Chinese evergreen is known and used for several things, and apart from its ability to grow without so much care, these are why many people fancy it.
Almost everyone owns a Chinese evergreen, it’s easy to grow, and who wouldn’t own one? If you intend to grow one or need some help with caring for it, you will find all the help you need in this article.
Read this: Chinese Money Plant: The Complete Growth And Care Guide (2021)
Table of Contents
Chinese Evergreen Plant Background
| Common name | Chinese evergreen. |
| Botanical name | Aglaonema. |
| Light | Low light. |
| Soil type | Well-drained soil. |
| Temperature | 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. |
| water | Moderate. |
| Toxicity | Toxic. |
| Origin | Asia. |
The name Chinese evergreen is not just for a single plant, but for a group of plants that are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and New Guinea.
The plant is also known by its botanical name Aglaonema. The name aglaonema comes from two Greek words aglos and Nema which means shining and thread respectively, this name in a way describes what this plant looks like, it explains its shiny appearance of the plant’s bright colors.
There are more than 20 varieties of Chinese evergreens and they all come in different and unique colors and textures. Every member of the group of the plant comes in attractive foliage and different colors, the colors of the plant can range from red emerald to silvery, dark green leaves.
The plant leaves are large, narrow and as stated earlier, shiny. Mature Chinese evergreen tends to produce beautiful green/white flowers every year, the plant also produces red berries in which the seeds reside, however, the berries cannot be consumed.
Apart from being easy to grow, the Chinese evergreen is known to be beneficial to the health of humans. The leaves purify the air around it and filter harmful pollutants and toxins, in return, it produces oxygen to make the air quality better. Also, across Asia, the Chinese evergreen is known and seen as a symbol of good fortune.
These and more are probably reasons a lot of people grow them, including you. We indeed admit that the Chinese evergreen is an easy to grow plant; however, every plant has its care routine and basic requirements for growth. You will find all you need to begin the growth of your Chinese evergreen here.
Your Chinese evergreen enjoys being fertilized only during the growing season. Always dilute your fertilizer to half its strength to avoid damaging your plant.
Quick Tip
Chinese Evergreen Propagation And Care Requirements
Propagating and caring for the Chinese evergreen plant is easier than you think. Start with these:
1. Light
Looking at the Chinese evergreens’ origin, it was noted that the Chinese evergreen grew mostly under large trees and plants. This indicates that the plant should be shielded from the sun, the plants are low-light plants, hence should be given low light.
Being a low-light plant makes it possible for the Chinese evergreen to grow in almost any environment. The variegated types of the Chinese evergreen i.e. red emerald can tolerant some levels of bright light. However, the varieties with cark leaves can only be kept in low light.
2. Soil
When it comes to the type of soil to use, Chinese evergreens are not all that choosy as they can adapt to any condition. However, they are best grown in a mix of potting soil and sand/ perlite (50% each). The idea of mixing the soil is to make it more porous for planting. This way the soil drains water fast.
3. Temperature
Chinese evergreen is best as houseplants and one of the reasons is that they can only survive in the temperature range of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius(64 – 77 degrees F), they enjoy being indoor. It is important that you do not place them in any temperature below 16 degrees Celsius or you will begin to see brown spots on your plant which is an indication of stress.
4. Humidity
Hardy plants are plants that can tolerate and survive in low temperatures. The Chinese evergreen is a hardy plant and because of this, it requires some extent of humidity.
It is best to place your plant where it will get the right amount of humidity it requires i.e. kitchen, bathroom, etc. you can also place them in your living or bedroom, however, you will be required to provide humidity or them, this can be done by misting the leaves regularly.
5. Water
Like most plants, the Chinese evergreen’s watering goal is to stay moist and not soggy/ waterlogged. To water effectively, you should create a schedule that meets your plant’s watering needs. You could water them once a week and adjust during other seasons i.e. winter. Testing the soil with your finger will also help you create a schedule that fits your plant’s needs.
6. Fertilizer
The Chinese evergreen does not require fertilizer to grow properly, however, you can fertilize them during the growing seasons. It is important to dilute the fertilizer to half its strength as it can cause damages to the plant.
Chinese Evergreen Propagation
Chinese evergreen plants are easy in every sense of the word, including propagation. This amazing plant can be propagated in two ways, via division and stem cutting. Follow the guide below for both methods
1. Stem Cutting
This is best done if you have a Chinese evergreen plant that has more than one stem.
- Choose a healthy and mature plant.
- With the use of a sterilized knife, cut out a stem, about an inch.
- Prepare a pot of soil and carefully place the stem deep into the soil. Preferably, you could make the soil 50% of perlite and sand. Also, you should water the soil thoroughly before you place your plant.
- Water the plant regularly at least for the first two weeks, then you can continue with the Chinese evergreen watering schedule.
- You can also propagate the stem in water before moving into the soil.
2. Division
This is known as the easiest and most successful method for propagating Chinese evergreen.
- Get a mature healthy plant and gently remove it from its pot.
- Carefully detangle the roots from the soil with your hands. While doing this, make sure you do not cut out a large part of the roots with the soil.
- With the use of a sterilized knife or a pair of scissors, cut the plant into sections, make sure each section has its roots and stem.
- Prepare a pot filled with potting soil; you could mix the soil with 50% perlite for porosity. Place each section in a new pot of soil and use your hands to keep the soil firm around the plant.
- Water the plant often for a while, after which you resume the normal watering schedule for the plant.
Chinese Evergreen Plant: How To Care For Your Chinese Evergreen Plant
- All varieties of Chinese evergreen grow and enjoy the same condition. However, the variegated varieties can tolerate some level of indirect light.
- Misting your plant regularly if you live in a dry climate can also help your plant grow properly.
- Brown leaves are signs of stress; you should make the environment more humid for your plant to enjoy. I.e. get a humidifier or other alternatives.
- Thorough watering is beneficial to your once in three weeks in the winter and once in 2 weeks in the summer.
- The best way to accurately water your plant is to create a watering schedule.
- The Chinese evergreen can tolerate artificial light in the home.
- Make sure your plant is not directly positioned near a heat source or Air conditioner; they could dry out your plant.
- Pots are as important as soil. The pots you purchase must have at least one drainage hole. Your plant could suffer from root rot if there are no drainage holes in your pot.
Chinese Evergreen FAQ
How much light does a Chinese evergreen need?
Chinese evergreens do not require much light to thrive. Although like other house plants, they require light to survive, they can adapt to low light conditions. The Chinese evergreen needs bright but indirect sunlight to survive. If grown outdoors, propagate your Chinese evergreen amid other plants and trees to provide shade for the plants. The amount of light a Chinese evergreen requires is dependent on the species propagated; some require more light than others to keep their colors.
Where should I put my Chinese evergreen?
The Chinese evergreen should be placed in a low humidity environment. Your Chinese evergreen should be placed in a warm area; this is the perfect weather condition for your plant. in addition, the Chinese can be placed indoors or outdoors depending on your choice. Remember, to place your Chinese evergreen in an environment where it can receive adequate bright although it can still survive in low lighting conditions, unlike other plants.
Does Chinese evergreen need sunlight?
Yes, your Chinese evergreen needs sunlight to survive. Your Chinese evergreen should be placed in a location where it can receive adequate bright but indirect sunlight. If exposed to direct sunlight, the heat begins to affect the foliage appearance of the plant, an indication of a decline process in the plant. You could make use of bulbs or fluorescents in the absence of sunlight.
How often should you water a Chinese evergreen?
Your Chinese evergreen should be watered as soon as you discover the surface of the soil is dry. Unlike other house plants, they do not require much water to survive still they need to be watered as occasion demands. You can water your Chinese evergreen once a week although this is dependent on the humidity level of the environment the plant is grown in. the endpoint of every watering is to leave the soil moist and not soggy. If the soil becomes soggy, stay off watering the plant for a while till the roots dry.
Should I mist my Chinese evergreen?
Yes, you should mist your Chinese evergreen plant. misting helps improve the humidity level of your environment to be conducive for your plant. your Chinese evergreen requires misting to keep the leaves moist and not dried out. In addition, misting enhances the foliage appearance of your plant and helps rid off pests. To mist your plant, you just need a spray bottle and water and you are good to go.
Why are the leaves on my Chinese evergreen turning yellow?
The leaves of your Chinese evergreen turns yellow when there is a situation of root rot, pest infestations, or aging. When the Chinese evergreen is exposed to overwatering, the root suffers and root rot occurs. A pest infestation is sure to affect the foliage appearance of your Chinese evergreen if not combatted upon detection. Pests infestations affect the roots of your plants, in addition, some pests sap out nutrients off the plant leaves leaving the plant starved of the essential nutrients.
Is Chinese evergreen an indoor plant?
Yes, Chinese evergreens are indoor plants but they can also be grown outdoors. Chinese evergreens are the perfect indoor houseplants considering the very low maintenance the plant needs to survive. All the basic requirements ranging from good lighting, humid environments, adequate watering, and drilled containers can be provided when grown indoors.
Can Chinese evergreens be grown outside?
Yes, Chinese evergreens can be grown outdoors although most house plant growers love propagating them indoors because of the easy maintenance the plant requires to survive. If grown outdoors, ensure the plant is placed in a low humid environment with bright but indirect sunlight. Grow your Chinese evergreen amidst other plants or trees to provide shade from direct sunlight.
Does Chinese evergreen like to be misted?
Yes, your Chinese evergreen plant likes being misted. Misting your Aglaonema is synonymous with keeping it hydrated. It keeps the foliage appearance neat and appealing. In addition, it helps in combating mild pest infestations.
Final Thoughts
You should own a Chinese evergreen plant in your home, not only can we guarantee that it will not stress you, but we can also assure you that it will purify the air in your home and keep it healthy.
The Chinese evergreen plant is perennial; this means that you get to have them in your home for as long as you want.
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