CHINESE EVERGREEN

AGLAONEMA COMMUTATUM

This durable houseplant is almost foolproof: it tolerates a wide range of temperatures and humidities, and survives in low-light conditions where many other plants fail. It's grown for its attractive leathery, spear-shaped, variegated silver and green foliage, and its beautiful arching habit.

HEIGHT 18in (45cm)

SPREAD 18in (45cm)

FLOWERS Unlikely to bloom indoors

FOLIAGE Variegated

LIGHT Shade

TEMPERATURE 61–77°F (16–25°C)

CARE Easy

PLACE OF ORIGIN The Philippines; widely cultivated in China

CARE

The native habitat of this plant is the shady and moist understory of tropical woodlands. When growing at home, try to mimic these conditions, keeping the air humid by misting the plant with a fine spray twice a week.

While the Chinese evergreen copes well in dim conditions, it won’t survive without any natural light. A bathroom that has a skylight or a frosted window would make a perfect home. Keep it out of direct sunlight and well away from drafts, and also ensure the potting mix is moist all year round, but never leave this plant sitting in water. Plant in comercial potting mix with added perlite, which will help to keep moisture and air around the roots. Feed once a year during the springtime using normal, soluble, houseplant fertilizer.

The Chinese evergreen is a relatively slow-growing plant; to allow it to reach its mature size, it needs repotting only every other year.

PROBLEM SOLVING If the air in the room is too dry, cool, or drafty, foliage can become brown at the edges. Either remove the affected leaf or use scissors to snip off the browning tips, leaving the leaf with a pointed end. Mealybugs can also be a problem with this plant; they’re often found at the base of stems but are easily spotted.

A tray filled with water and pebbles will keep your plant from sitting in water.

DISPLAY

There are few plants, other than the cast iron plant, that can be grown alongside the Chinese evergreen in shade. They work well together, with the plain green cast iron plant offering a wonderful backdrop to the silvery foliage of the Chinese evergreen. Older plants may flower, producing blooms similar to those of the peace lily, but these rarely appear—the main attraction is the striking foliage.

Houseplants A–Z | CHINESE EVERGREEN

ALSO TRY

Spear-shaped leaves always offer a statement and structure to a room setting. If you’re looking for other plants that offer this shape of leaf, attractive variegations, and also thrive in light shade, then try:

• Amazonian elephant’s ear (Alocasia × amazonica), height 4ft (1.2m). This dramatic plant has large, very shiny, dark green leaves with bold, pale green veins.

Amazonian elephant’s ear is a stunning plant with dramatic foliage.