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This easy to grow attractive low light plant is one of the best indoor houseplants
available today. It can be used as an upright table plant or, as it gets larger, a
bushy floor plant. There are many varieties available; all have long shiny leathery
leaves with unique patterns of green, gray, and cream. NASA lists the Chinese Evergreen
as one of its top ten clean air plants.
Houseplant 411 for the iPhone & i Pod Touch
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CARE OF CHINESE EVERGREEN
Light: Chinese evergreens are probably the only indoor plant with large attractive variegated leaves that can live
in a low light condition. If placed in medium light, the plant will grow more quickly.
Water: Always allow your Chinese Evergreen to dry out before watering. When this houseplant stays too wet the
stalks quickly rot and die. If your Chinese Evergreen gets too dry it will develop yellow leaves.
Temperature: Chinese Evergreens will get ugly brown marks on their leaves if temperatures go below 55 degrees;
so be careful of cold winter draughts and air conditioners. Otherwise, normal household temperatures are fine.
Fertilizer: Chinese Evergreens do not need much fertilizer; feed quarterly with a basic houseplant
food, 20-20-20.
Pests: Mealy bugs, scale, and aphids may, on rare occasions, attack a Chinese Evergreen. The green solution, sprayed on both sides of the leaves, usually quickly solves the problem.
This
is an excellent plant to clean the air of toxic gases.
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| Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) |
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CHINESE EVERGREEN FAQ’S
1. My Chinese Evergreen is getting mediocre white flowers. Shall I leave them or cut them off?
I would get rid of them. The flowers slow down leaf growth, are not very attractive, and produce berries that drain the
strength of the plant.
2. How can I propagate my Chinese Evergreen?
Propagation
is very simple and is done by stem cuttings. Cut off a stem and place it in water to root; remember, when choosing the site,
that the plant will branch below the cut. Once roots have developed plant the cutting in a high quality potting soil. Your
new plant will look better if you use at least three cuttings per pot.
3. I have
my Chinese Evergreen in a very low light place. The stems are getting soft and mushy at the bottom and breaking off. Should
I move my plant to better light?
You are over watering your plant. The lower the light the less water your plant
needs. Move it to better light until the soil dries out and then you can move it back to its original location; just cut back
on how often you water.
4. How can I fix a Chinese Evergreen that is top heavy,
spindly, and keeps tipping over?
Cut off some of the tall stems about half way down; your plant will become bushy
and full in no time.
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