The Gorgeous Chinese Evergreen: A Tropical Beauty For Your Home
With their lush, dark green leaves splashed with colorful patterns and shades, Chinese Evergreens are a real showstopper among houseplants. Also known as Aglaonema, these tropical beauties thrive in low-light indoor spaces and add beauty to any home.
Despite their tropical origins, Chinese Evergreens are very forgiving of the occasional care mistakes. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to pot and care for your new Chinese Evergreen so it rewards you with its beauty for many years to come.
Choosing a Pot
Chinese Evergreens appreciate pots with good drainage to prevent soggy soil issues. Look for a plastic or glazed ceramic container with holes in the bottom that are around 6–8 inches wide.
Terra cotta is also a great choice, as it allows moisture to evaporate through the sides. Use a well-draining, organic potting mix formulated for houseplants. I recommend Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix.
Potting Your Chinese Evergreen
Carefully remove the plant from its nursery pot and loosen any circling or tightly-packed roots. Add a thin layer of potting mix to the new container.
Nestle the root ball in the center and fill around the sides with more soil, packing it down gently. Leave 1-2 inches between the soil and pot rim. Water thoroughly until it drains out.
Light and Temperature
Chinese Evergreens thrive in medium- to low-indirect sunlight. East or west-facing windows provide the perfect growing conditions. They tolerate low indoor light if supplemented with weekly doses of sunlight.
Just be sure to avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves. Chinese Evergreens grow best between 65 and 80 °F. They’ll let you know if temperatures dip too low by dropping leaves.
Water and Humidity
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. During the growing season, water every 7–10 days.
Cut back to every 2-3 weeks in winter when growth slows. For extra lushness, mist leaves occasionally or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water. High humidity keeps foliage looking its best.
Fertilizing Your Chinese Evergreen
Feed your plant every 2–4 weeks during the spring and summer with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer. I recommend a ratio of 1/4 the strength listed on the label.
Apply to the soil and water it in well. Cut back fertilizer to just a few times during fall and winter. Chinese Evergreens are not heavy feeders when grown indoors.
Pruning and Propagation
Prune off any leaves or stems that look unhealthy to maintain an attractive appearance. Chinese Evergreens can also be propagated from stem cuttings. Simply remove 4-6 inch sections and root in water or moist soil.
Pests and Problems
These plants are generally trouble-free. Watch for occasional issues like spider mites, which can be treated with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Underwatering shows in drooping leaves that perk back up with water.
With just basic care, your Chinese Evergreen will reward you with its lush foliage and air-purifying abilities indoors for many years to come. Let me know if you have any other questions!