Knowledgebase
Chinese Evergreen #266778
Asked August 02, 2015, 1:30 AM EDT
Palm Beach County Florida
Expert Response
Chinese evergreen is the common name for a genus of plants called Aglaonema. They get their common name from their country of origin and the fact that they are not deciduous. Aglaonemas are very popular indoor plants, and thus the industry has created many, many cultivars, each with a unique feature - usually foliage pattern and color. The "spotty" one might be the 'Valentine' cultivar, while the one on the right is usually sold as a "red" aglaonema. Seeing how far south you are, you could even grow these outdoors in shady areas.
Care is similar for all cultivars:
Any fertile, nematode-free soil or artificial media is suitable for growth, yet Aglaonemas will survive in peat and perlite, in sand, or can be grown hydroponically. They enjoy moist soil which is allowed to dry slightly before watering. Be careful not to overwater but do not let the soil dry for more than a few days. Aglaonemas require shade since direct sun will turn leaves yellow. They perform admirably in conditions too dark for most other tropicals. They will succeed in low light, either as house plants or in sheltered locations on the north side of buildings, or under heavy shade of trees. They are attractive planted as single specimens, or in mass to create a tropical, coarse-textured effect. Plant on two- to three-foot centers. Temperatures below 45°F. can injure the foliage. Overwatering causes root rot and yellowing of the leaves. Propagation is by cuttings. Soil-borne nematodes and mites can be a problem for Chinese Evergreen. (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp025)
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern. Roots can rot if the soil is kept too wet.