Aglaonema

( ah - gla - oh - NAY - mah )

At-A-Glance Information

Species in this genus, commonly called Chinese Evergreens, are native to tropical and subtropical regions in Asia and New Guinea. Aglaonema can either take a sprawling form with stems that root at nodes or have a more upright habit. These plants are known in Asian countries as being lucky and are commonly cultivated as houseplants. Take care when planting these ornamentals in the garden or keeping them indoors, as plant parts are poisonous to humans and pets if ingested.

Aglaonema Species and Varietals

The genus Aglaonema is a member of the plant family Araceae and includes around 22 species. The best growing zones for these tropical plants are USDA growing zones 10-12, or in any zone as a houseplant. See the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Aglaonema commutatum (Philippine Evergreen, Poison Dart Plant, Golden Evergreen)
This species is native to the Philippines and has many popularly grown cultivars. Leaves are green, mottled with silver-grey blotches. Varieties include 'Silver Queen', 'Frasher', 'Pseudobracteatum', 'White Rajah'. Subspecies include Alglaonema commutatum commutatum, Aglaonema commutatum elegans, Aglaonema commutatum maculatum, and Aglaonema commutatum warburgii.

Aglaonema costatum (Spotted Evergreen)
This species is native to Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It reaches about 25 inches in height and 12-18 inches wide. Leaves are dark green with a white stripe up the midrib and a spotted white pattern on the leaf surfaces.

Aglaonema modestum (Chinese Evergreen, Green-for-Ten-Thousand-Years, Lily of China)
This species is native to tropical swamps and rainforest areas in Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and China. Leaves are green to grey-green, and varieties have various markings on foliage.

Aglaonema simplex (Malayan Sword, Kering, Wetune, Penggeheh)
This slow-growing species is native to southeast Asia and forms a shrubby herbaceous plant to 8 in. to 3 ft. tall at maturity. Leaves are oval-shaped and green. These plants are commonly seen in the aquarium trade.

Caring for Aglaonema

Aglaonema, or Chinese Evergreen, can be grown outdoors in tropical or subtropical zones, and is cultivated as an indoor plant or greenhouse plant elsewhere. In tropical zones where they can be grown outdoors, they do well in partial to full shade in a space that keeps a relatively high humidity. Keep them away from cool drafts or wind exposure. Aglaonema should be in a space that stays between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and they can struggle if temperatures change more than 10 degrees at a time. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings as they establish themselves in their new home. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistently moist, but not soggy, soil. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing season. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Aglaonemas are perennial plants, and have a lifespan of between 5 and 10 years, sometimes more if properly cared for.

Caring for Aglaonema Indoors
Plant Chinese Evergreen in a pot that is at least two inches larger than its nursery pot. Ensure that the pot gets good drainage before planting. Fill the bottom with potting mix amended with plenty of perlite, repot the plant ensuring that the root ball stays about two inches below the rim of the container, and then fill in around the sides with more soil. Pack down soil gently as you fill. Water new plantings regularly as they establish themselves in their new home. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistent irrigations; as a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Waterings can be lessened when plants go dormant during winter. Place the pot in a place that gets bright, indirect light. Cultivars with lighter colored leaves will require more hours or brighter light, while those with darker foliage can take lower light conditions.

Take care not to expose these plants to any direct sunlight, as it will sunburn leaves. The ideal exposure is in a north or east-facing window. Ensure that these plants are in a protected area that is free from cool drafts and dry air. Their ideal temperature range is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They also like a higher humidity level; they do well in bathrooms or when planted in pots on pebble trays that stay filled with water. In situations with particularly dry air, use a humidifier or mist plants manually a few times a day. Aglaonemas do well in kitchens and bathrooms, due to the humidity and higher heat in these environments. Aglaonema also does well in office buildings if misted regularly and temperatures stay relatively stable between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Propagation

Aglaonema, or Chinese Evergreen, is most easily propagated via cutting. To propagate your Chinese Evergreen, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Aglaonema by Cutting

There are two ways to propagate Aglaonema cuttings: in water or in soil. Generally, the water method is simpler and allows for visual confirmation of roots before the cutting is placed in soil. Growing cuttings directly in soil requires more materials and attention, but does not require transplanting later on. To grow your Aglaonema cutting in soil,
Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch cuttings, each with a node and allow them to callous over for a few hours while sitting out. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.