Aglaonema / Chinese Evergreen was grown as luck-bringing ornamental plants. It is said that the plant can filter out the toxins in the air. If you are planning to keep an indoor plant inside your office area or home, then it is the best choice due to its toxin filtering qualities.
Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen) is a genus of about 40 species of rhizomatous evergreen plants in the family Araceae.
It is an indoor plant mostly used for offices and malls. It helps keep your home fresh and lively. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing to 20-150 cm in height. The leaves are alternate on the stems, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, dark to medium green, 10-45 cm long, and 4-16 cm broad, depending on the species.
The flowers are relatively of white or greenish-white that gives way to red berries. The sap of the plant is poisonous to humans. It can cause skin, mouth, lips, throat, and tongue irritation. They survive in low light conditions and needs low maintenance. They are also resistant to pests.
They are called Chinese evergreen because, Chinese were the first to cultivate this evergreen plant centuries before. There are variant species of the plant. But least of them are grown commercially.
Aglaonemas are mainly grown today for indoor use. The reasons for the popularity of the Chinese Evergreen plant is their long life and their ability to cope with lower light levels. They can handle a wide range of soils. They are used in medium-sized pots. They enjoy moist soil but can grow in other conditions. Aglaonemas require shade since the direct sun will turn leaves yellow. They are easy to propagate.
How to take care of your Aglaonema / Chinese Evergreen plant:
1- It should be placed with an indirect exposure to light.
2- They cannot survive lot of cold environment so the temperature should not be below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
3- They can be propagated from cuttings and can root in a container of water.
4- The soil of the plant must be moist and the pot should have proper drainage holes.
5- The plant should not be over-watered. Let the soil dry before watering again.
6- Maintain proper drainage so that excess water move out of the plant.
7- The plant might need slow-release fertilizers from time-to-time.
8- Do not keep in cold environment.
9- It is not needed to have regular pruning.
10- Repot the plant when necessary.
11- The plant can be affected by the usual houseplant pests. So check the plant regularly and prevent pests.
12- Chinese Evergreen needs less care and can be grown easily.