The Adaptable Chinese Evergreen Plant Aglaonema

by WriterArtist

The Chinese evergreen plant also known as Aglaonema comes in colourful, exciting and varying foliage patterns. Versatile and adaptable to partial sun,it exhibits exquisite verdure.

In China it is celebrated as a Good Luck plant akin to the succulent Jade Plant. In Asian countries, it is a must have plant that brings peace to the family.

Aglaonema literally translates to shining thread. Perhaps this name was given to it due to its lush shining leaves. Although it is a slow growing plant, it is a trendsetter and collected by many gardeners and housewives alike. Cherished for its foliage and not flowers, the indoor plants purifies the air and increases oxygen levels during day.

The variegated Aglaonemas with brilliant foliage and white stems are very alluring. I have at least 7 varieties of Aglaonema with radiant foliage both indoors and outside my garden.

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Air Purifying Indoor Plants

Aglaonema for Removing Pollution Indoors

It is a popular indoor plant reputed for removing toxins found inside the house. Formaldehyde and Benzene are toxins that are found in everyday domiciliary items such as paints, plastics, rubber and ink. Benzene is used in manufacturing industry in dyes and detergents. It has some use in pharmacy too. The plant also absorbs formaldehyde.

Taking Care of Chinese Evergreen

Water and Sunlight Requirements

A beautiful looking plant, it is easy to maintain in low light conditions and if at all requires very low maintenance. Some of the species are adaptable to sunlight but most of them prefer shades or morning sunlight of 2,3 hours.

 

They cannot withstand scorching sunlight and soon start withering away. In India, they are loved and cherished as indoor plants. I have kept some of the bigger and sun tolerant plants in partial sunlight outdoors. I am careful to change their location during harsh summer months of India. In Bangalore the summer lasts 2 months, one can start seeing early monsoon shots in April and May.

 

Best time to water aglaonema is when the top inch dries out. I usually water my plants when my thumb cannot easily permeate through the soil in the pots. All my plants are in pots. The advantage of having them in pots is they can be relocated whenever I want.

Pink Aglaonema from My Garden

Aglaonema Pink Valentine
Pink Aglaonema in my garden
Pink Aglaonema in my garden
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Fertilizing your Chinese Evergreen

How often one should fertilize Aglaonema

 

Like all plants, the Chinese evergreen benefits from fertilizing. According to Google search, it is advised to fertilize the plant once or twice in a year. However, I fertilize my plants once in a month with very mild liquid fertilizer.

 

 

 

The soil mix I prepare for the plant contains a good amount of compost and cocopeat mixed in garden soil. To make the soil airy, I also mix a small percentage of perlite. Cocopeat ensures that the moisture is retained longer. With cocopeat, I do not have to water the plant more than once in a week in cool weather. However, in summer I water them 2,3 times in a week and do not fertilize at all.

Propagating Aglaonema

Techniques for propagation

 

 

One can multiply the plants after a while when they start outgrowing the pots. Propagating Aglaonema is through root division and stem cuttings. It is a slow growing plant and my observations with propagation are that some species are difficult to propagate. One can find no movement, no offshoots in the freshly propagated cuttings for weeks together. It is, however; very rewarding to see offshoots sprouting from the young seedling. My advice – be patient and do not disturb the cutting because beneath the soil, it is slowly developing the root system.

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Is Chinese Evergreen a Poisonous Plant ?

 

No part of the Aglaonema plant should be consumed. People having pets should take extra care. The sap of this plant can cause soreness and inflammation. People having sensitive skin should keep away from the juice of this plant. No medicinal properties are discovered yet.

Updated: 05/07/2021, WriterArtist
 
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Does your garden boast of the ornamental plant Aglaonema?

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DerdriuMarriner on 05/05/2021

WriterArtist, Thank you for pictures, practicalities and products.
Do some of your containers not need bottom-draining water holes? It also looks, from your pink aglaonema image that you use a combination of water-drainable pots within pots and pots within saucers for those that do.

WriterArtist on 05/03/2021

@blackspanielgallery - There are so many varieties of Aglaonema in Garden Nurseries especially created with tissue culture and propagated for home gardens that one is amazed. Having killed 2,3 plants with transplanting, I have learnt not to disturb them unnecessarily. And yes, they are awesome as decorative pieces that remove air pollution.

blackspanielgallery on 05/01/2021

The number of color variations in the numerous varieties makes it easy to incorporate as a decorattive piece.

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