(Beginners: This one’s for you!)
It rarely flowers when grown inside, though.
A slow-growing houseplant, it will happily reside on a desktop for many months before outgrowing the space.
Large Chinese evergreen plants are perfect accent pieces for empty corners or for pairing with big furniture pieces.
In warm climates (zone 10 and 11) is can also be grown as an outdoor plant.
Chinese evergreen is toxic to humans and pets.
Dig a hole about the same width and depth as the planting container.
Remove the plant and loosen the roots a bit from the root ball before placing in the hole.
Backfill with soil, tamp lightly, and water well.
Space the plants 3 feet apart.
However, if you’re growing it inside, just about anything goes.
It grows well with indirect sunlight or in medium- to low-light conditions.
Place this houseplant on a desktop under the glow of fluorescent lights, and it will do just fine.
Soil and Water
Chinese evergreen is easy-going about moisture, too.
Plant it in an equal mix of potting soil, perlite, and sand that drains easily.
Water the plant regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
The plant does not go dormant during the winter but should be watered less frequently.
If planted outdoors, verify the soil has good drainage and a slightly acidic pH (below 6.0).
High humidity, on the other hand, is not just tolerated but needed.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Pruning
Remove the flower buds so the plant can put all its energy into foliage growth.
Chinese evergreen is grown for the beauty of its leaves.
The flowers are inconspicuous.
How to Propagate Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen can be easily propagated from stem cuttings.
Place them in a jar with water in a place with indirect sunlight.
Once the stems have rooted, you might plant them in 4-inch pots filled with potting mix.
Keep the plant away from air conditioning vents and other sources of draft.
Wipe off the leaves once in a while to limit dust accumulation.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Chinese Evergreen.ASPCA.
Is It Poisonous or Toxic?
Accessed August 1, 2024. https://www.kansaspoisoncenter.com/poisons/plants-and-mushrooms/chinese-evergreen.
