Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema) Indoor Care, Propagation, Growing Problems and Solutions
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Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema) flourish in medium to bright light away from direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, well-drained, all purpose soils that are rich in organic matter.
Aglaonemas are some of the popular tropical foliage plants on account of their spectacular foliage, ease of care, air cleaning properties and ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions.
Chinese Evergreens are relatively small and exhibit a compact growth. The leaves are large, spear-shaped and borne on short stems and have a strong vein running down the middle and a speckled pattern along the sides.
Being slow growers, Aglaonemas are great plants for limited spaces, this coupled with their air cleaning abilities make Chinese Evergreens some of the best plants for a study table.
Aglaonemas, especially the all green varities, are very tolerant to low light or shade conditions and are among the best plants for low light spaces in the home.
Botanical name: Aglaonema
Family: Araceae
Common name: Chinese Evergreen
Origin
Aglaonemas are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and New Guinea.
Flower
The inflorescence in Chinese Evergreens are unimpressive unisexual flowers in a spadix. To conserve the plants energy and direct it to foliage growth, cut the flowers as soon as they appear though it is unlikely to flower when grown indoors.
Varieties
Numerous varieties and hybrids of Chinese Evergreen are available. It is the green varieties Aglaonema modestum that can tolerate some shade but the near-white varieties need a well-lit environment.
The favorite of the group is the Aglaonema silver queen whose foliage is almost entirely silver-grey
Another common variety of Aglaonema is the Aglaonema pseudobracteatum (Golden Evergreen) whose leaves are blotched with yellow, cream and pale green.
Other varieties are Aglaonema commutatum whose leaves have silver bands, Aglaonema nitidum which is the giant of the group with leaves 18 inches plain green and Aglaonema pictum whose 6 in. long leaves are speckled and velvety among many varieties and hybrids. Take a look at these popular Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreens) varieties.
Air Purifying
According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Aglaonema modestum was found to be among the best air-purifying plants effective in the removal of benzene and formaldehyde from indoor air.Toxicity
Aglaonema are toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The plant sap contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation on sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling Aglaonema. If ingested, the plant sap can cause burning in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains.
Where to Buy
If you would like to add Aglaonemas to your plant collection, they are available online on Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Chinese Evergreen Care Indoors
Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema) prospers in medium to bright light (dappled light), average warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained, all purpose soils that are rich in organic matter coupled with feeding every 3-4 months in the growing season.
Aglaonemas are slow-growing plants which do not require regular repotting. Grooming is needed to keep the plant neat and minimize pests and diseases infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Chinese Evergreens grow best in semi-shade to bright light conditions. Keep them away from direct sunlight as it can cause scorching on the leaves.
The near-white variegated plants require more brighter light than the more green varieties. Where natural lighting is not sufficient, you may instal grow lights to supplement it. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Keep rotating the pot at regular intervals to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Watering
Chinese Evergreens require to be watered liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Cut down on watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely as it may cause leaf drop.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Read more on how to water indoor plants the correct way.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 18-270C is ideal for Chinese Evergreens. Below this temperature the plant may stop growing and die. Keep them away from cold drafts as they are intolerant to very low temperatures below 150C which may cause the leaves to curl and develop brown edges.
Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Aglaonemas. They have no need for extra humidity. Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and reduce pest infestation.
Feeding
Feed Chinese Evergreen with a liquid fertilizer (foliar feed) every 3-4 months during the growing period. It is not a heavy feeder.
To prevent the leaves from turning yellow due to copper deficiency, ensure your fertilizer contains this micronutrient. Aglaonema is easily injured by overfeeding therefore withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Chinese Evergreen should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Check out these 16 potting mixes for indoor plants.
Repotting
Chinese Evergreen is slow-growing thus does not require frequent repotting. Repotting may be necessary after 2-3 years when the plant has outgrown its current pot or the soil needs to be replaced.
Repot Aglaonema at the beginning of the growing season. Use a free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter and a pot 1 size larger than the current one.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Take a look at these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Being a slow grower, Chinese Evergreen requires minimal pruning. Pruning Aglaonema involves removal of yellow and old leaves by cutting them at the soil level.
Remove the inflorescences that may develop to prevent the plant from wasting energy to develop the inflorescences inorder to prolong the life of the plant.
Propagation
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings or by plant division.
Read more on how to propagate Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema propagation)
Chinese Evergreen Problems with Solutions
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) problems include yellow leaves, leaf spots, curled and crispy leaves, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Shrivelled leaves and brown leaf tips
If the air is too dry especially when the indoor temperatures are very high, Chinese Evergreen's leaves become shrivelled and form brown leaf tips. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area or other moist areas in the home. Check out these techniques on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Diseases
Chinese Evergreen is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Isolate the affected plant and treat it for the disease. Learn how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
Pests
Common pests in Chinese Evergreen are mealy bugs, scales, aphids and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and control the pests appropriately. Read more on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Stunted growth and dying
Stunted growth and plant death in Chinese Evergreen is an indication of the presence of root-knot nematodes. It is prone to root knot nematodes.
The presence of root nematodes is marked by swellings in the roots of the plant.
These swellings may reduce water and nutrient uptake resulting in stunted growth and in extreme cases plant collapse. Read more on how to get rid of nematodes from houseplants.
Yellow leaves
There are four possible reasons why the leaves of Chinese Evergreen are turning yellow. One possible reason is aging.
This is a natural process. With age, the lower leaves turn yellow and die. These leaves are replaced by new leaves at the top of the plant.
The second possible reason for yellow leaves in Aglaonema is overwatering or soggy soil. Soggy soil will lead to root-rot which is characterized by general yellowing of leaves.
At this stage, the plant may be too far gone to be saved. However, you can try to save it by root surgery. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
To prevent root-rot in the future, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
The third possible reason for the leaves of Chinese Evergreen turing yellow is underwatering. Too little moisture in the soil will cause the older, lower leaves to turn yellow and die in a bid to save the new leaves.
Water Chinese Evergreen liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
However, reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
The fourth possible reason for yellowing leaves in Chinese Evergreen is too little light. The variegated varieties require bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight.
Therefore, if variegated Chinese Evergreen is not getting adequate light, the leaves will turn yellow due to loss of chlorophyll and the plant may eventuall die.
Position variegated Aglaonemas in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots on Chinese Evergreen are a sign of sunscorch marks. Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight. Place the plant where it will receive bright, filtered light but not direct sunlight as it will burn the leaves. A spot infront of a brightly lit window that has a screen like a sheer curtain is ideal for Aglaonema.
Curled leaves and brown leaf edges
Too cold air or cold drafts are the cause of curled leaves and brown leaf edges in Chinese Evergreen. Keep the plant away from cold drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature inorder to maintain a constantly warm temperature.
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