Aglaonema, Chinese Evergreens

Indoor plants offer the home and office many virtues, and Aglaonemas have almost every one of them. More commonly known as Chinese evergreens, these plants are versatile and rugged, adapting to many different settings. Overall, the plants have a compact, bushy habit with lots of stems and leaves emerging from the crown. The leaves are fairly large, long and pointed and come marked by various patterns of green and creamy white. And on occasion, they also send up a bloom or two. One of the most popular varieties for years has been Silver Queen. Its pointed leaves look like they have been brushed with silvery-white, covering most of the green except the main vein and leaf edges. Over the past few years the foliage industry has developed and introduced a number of new varieties that are even more striking and easier to grow. Many of the new varieties also have hidden virtues such as a greater disease resistance, better branching and faster growth. Look for variations in the markings. They are all basically green with lighter highlights, but the overall appearance can vary dramatically. While most Chinese evergreens have green stems, some have bright white stems. The base color of green can range from dark to light and the contrasting color markings on the leaves may be a soft, pale green or a strong, silvery gray. Leaves will also vary in size and shape. To choose a healthy Aglaonema, look for a plant that is full, with new growth emerging from the center of the plant. Leaves should be strong and clean. Ask about the specific variety so you will know how large it will grow and whether or not to expect any blooms.Tips for Growing Healthy Chinese EvergreensWhat are the light requirements for Chinese evergreens? Ideally, they prefer medium to high light with no direct sun in the afternoon. But they are very tolerant of lower light, and will survive almost anywhere there is light enough to read comfortably.How much water do they need? In the summer when it is warm, keep them evenly moist. Water thoroughly and discard the excess water. During the winter when it is cooler and the plants aren't growing much allow the plant to dry slightly between waterings.Do they have any special temperature requirements? Chinese evergreens do well in average indoor temperatures. If they are kept outdoors in the summer and the temperatures are higher, the plants will use quite a bit of water, so be sure the plants are kept moist.Do Chinese evergreens need much humidity? They prefer average to slightly high humidity. To provide extra moisture, use a humidity tray or a humidifier. The plants may be misted with room temperature water.How much fertilizer do they require? Feed them every two or three weeks through the spring and summer and once every month during the winter with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Excel Gro™.What type of soil do they prefer? Chinese evergreens grow well in a well-drained quality potting soil such as Bachman's Exceloam.When should I repot my Chinese evergreens? While they are young and actively growing, repot them each spring. As they mature, Chinese evergreens don't mind being left a bit crowded in the container and should be repotted every other year.Will they need any grooming? Dust can be removed from the leaves either with a soft cloth or an occasional gentle shower. If a leaf gets damaged, simply cut it out as low as you can reach into the center of the plant.How are they propagated? Stem tip cuttings root easily with a rooting hormone.Troubleshooting Problems with Chinese EvergreensWhat causes the whole plant to droop? Drooping can be the result of the plant getting too dry or too cold. A plant that is too dry will recover within a few hours when watered. Sometimes a cold draft will cause wilting too. Overwatering can also cause a droop.When leaves turn yellow, what is the problem? An overall yellowing of a leaf or a few leaves usually indicates overwatering. Occasionally, yellow leaves can develop when a plant is too cold.If brown patches develop on the leaves, what happened? Chinese evergreens are sensitive to fumes, especially from oil or gas. The patches will be irregular and both along the edges and within the leaf. Sometimes fertilizer that is too strong will cause brown edges.When Chinese evergreens barely grow, what is the reason? First check to make sure the plant isn't severely pot bound. If it is, repot it. The other likely cause is lack of fertilizer. You may have to increase the frequency of feeding the plant, but avoid making the solution any stronger or you might burn the leaves.If the leaves develop yellow areas, what is the cause? Yellow areas on leaves that are otherwise normal in color usually indicates an insect problem. Examine the plant carefully.If the leaves turn dry and crumble, what is the reason? The most likely problem is that the plant is too hot and possibly too dry. Be sure to keep it consistently moist when the temperatures go much above 80º. If ragged edges develop, be sure the plant is not being damaged by passing traffic or pets.Are they prone to any disease problems? Other than root rot brought about by too much water, Chinese evergreens seldom have any disease problems.Should I watch for any insect problems? Watch for the occasional problem with scale or mealy bugs. Both problems can be treated with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or by spraying with insecticidal soap.