Plants have been a part of humanity for generations, offering beauty and life to our homes, offices and gardens. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum) is a popular houseplant with attractive foliage and low-maintenance needs.
The glossy dark green leaves are often marked with stripes or spots of silver. Growing Chinese evergreen is simple and can bring joy to any space.
These plants can grow in either bright indirect light or lower light situations, making them an ideal choice for beginners who want something easy to care for. The soil should be kept moist but avoid over watering as this will cause the roots to rot. Chinese evergreens prefer temperatures between 65°F – 80°F (18°C – 27°C). With proper care these plants can flourish indoors for many years bringing beauty and life into the home all year round!
Chinese Evergreen at a glance
| Common Name | Chinese Evergreen |
| Scientific Name | Aglaonema Commutatum |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Full maturity | 2-3 years |
| Height (max) | 90 cm |
| Width (max) | 90 cm |
| Pet safe? | Maybe |
| Sunlight | Low to bright indirect light |
| Soil Ph | 5.6–6.5 (slightly acidic) |
| Native to | Southeast Asia |
Growing Chinese Evergreen indoors in Australia
Growing indoor plants in Australia can be a great way to spruce up your home and bring some natural beauty into your living spaces. Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema Commutatum) are perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance yet elegant houseplant to add life to the interior of their homes.
Native to tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, this attractive plant is also known as Aglaonema or Chinese Evergreen. Chinese evergreen plants make an excellent choice for homeowners looking for an easy-to-care-for indoor plant species that will thrive in low light conditions.
They come in many varieties and colours, making them well suited for those who want to add colour and texture variations into their indoor space with minimal effort.
Quick care tips
Growing Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) is a popular houseplant that is known for its beautiful foliage. This low-maintenance plant makes it the ideal choice for new and experienced gardeners alike.
Here are some quick care tips to help keep this stunning plant thriving in your home or office: Watering Chinese evergreen should be done when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry to the touch. Be sure to avoid overwatering, as too much moisture can cause root rot and other issues.
It’s also best practice to allow any excess water to drain out of the pot before returning it to its saucer or spot. Additionally, try misting your plant with filtered water regularly, as they prefer humid environments.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum) (Source)
Caring for your Chinese Evergreen
Plant care is an important part of gardening and growing a healthy interior landscape. One popular houseplant, the Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum), is well-known for its beautiful foliage and low maintenance requirements.
This easy-to-care-for plant is native to tropical regions in Asia, which means it requires warm temperatures and high humidity for optimal growth. For those looking for a unique addition to their home plantscape, the Chinese evergreen is an excellent choice.
This hardy species can tolerate low light conditions with ease, so it can be placed in many different places throughout your home or office. It also thrives when watered regularly but take caution not to overdo it; too much water can cause root rot and lead to problems with your plant’s health.
Light
Light is an essential element when it comes to growing healthy plants and Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum) is no exception. Native to the tropical parts of Asia, these vibrant foliage plants are very easy to care for but require the right light conditions in order to thrive.
When placed in an area with adequate light exposure, Chinese evergreens can grow up to 1 metre tall and showcase their signature green leaves with white and pink veins. In addition to providing aesthetic beauty, Chinese evergreens also act as natural air purifiers that absorb toxins like formaldehyde which can be found in common household items such as paint or carpets.
To ensure optimal growth, place your plant near a window where it will get medium or low indirect sunlight or near fluorescent lighting fixtures that provide bright but indirect illumination.
Water
Water is essential to maintaining the health and beauty of plants, particularly Chinese Evergreens. Aglaonema Commutatum, more commonly known as Chinese Evergreen, are a popular houseplant with vibrant foliage and low maintenance requirements.
Native to tropical climates, Chinese Evergreens can be found in a wide range of colours and variations. With their lush green leaves, these evergreens add a touch of nature to any interior space.
To ensure that your Chinese Evergreen grows beautiful and healthy you need to properly water it. Watering your plant is an important step in its growth process but it can also be tricky. Overwatering can damage the delicate roots of your evergreen while underwatering will cause it stress and may stunt its growth or even result in death.
Fertiliser
Fertiliser is an essential part of caring for any plant, including the Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum). When it comes to fertilising these potted plants, there are certain tips and tricks that can help make sure they remain healthy and vibrant.
First, proper soil preparation is key; this includes making sure the soil has adequate drainage and the right pH balance. Then, when it comes time to actually fertilise, use a balanced fertiliser such as a 20-20-20 mix or 10-10-10 mix that includes nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
fertiliser should be applied every two weeks while the plant is actively growing in spring and summer at half strength. During fall and winter months reduce fertiliser application to once every month or six weeks due to decreased growth during this time period.
Temperature
Temperature is an important factor to consider when growing Chinese evergreens. Aglaonema commutatum, also known as the Chinese evergreen, is a popular plant that thrives in warm and humid environments.
This tropical plant enjoys temperatures between 15 and 32 degrees Celcius during the day and does not tolerate temperatures below 13 degrees Celcius for long periods of time. In order for your Aglaonema commutatum to thrive, it needs to be placed in an area with indirect sunlight away from any drafts or air vents.
If grown indoors, keep the temperature between 18-26 degrees Celcius with humidity levels of 40-60%. During summer months, you can move your Chinese evergreen outdoors under a covered patio or porch that has some partial shade throughout the day. Make sure you monitor the temperature carefully to ensure it remains within ideal range for optimal growth and health.
Humidity
Humidity is an important factor to consider when growing the Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum). This tropical houseplant thrives in high-humidity environments and should be placed away from air conditioners, furnaces, and fireplaces.
The plant will display its most vibrant colours of silver and green when it is kept in temperatures around 24 degrees Celcius with humidity levels between 60-80%. In order to create a thriving environment for the Chinese Evergreen, the soil should be moist but not overly wet.
The plant can be misted a few times a week or place it on a tray of wet pebbles. Additionally, avoid placing the pot directly on cold surfaces like tile or concrete as this can create shock from temperature changes. Providing proper humidity levels will ensure your plant stays healthy so you can enjoy its graceful foliage for years to come.
Learn more about how humidity can affect indoor plants.
Flowering
Flowering is an important part of growing Chinese evergreen. Aglaonema commutatum, commonly known as Chinese evergreen, is one of the most popular houseplants due to its attractive foliage and low maintenance requirements.
While it does not typically flower indoors, there are a few tips you can use to get this plant blooming. One way to encourage flowering in your Chinese evergreen is by providing plenty of light and warmth.
Place it in a bright spot such as near a window that receives lots of indirect sunlight. In addition, be sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy and fertilise once every two weeks during spring and summer with a balanced fertiliser or liquid soluble product. Exposing the plant to cooler temperatures at night can also stimulate flowering.
Pests
Pests can be a major issue when it comes to caring for houseplants, and Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum) is no exception. This tropical foliage plant is known for its striking variegated leaves, and because of this, it’s an increasingly popular choice among home gardeners.
But in order to keep the plant healthy, any pests should be addressed immediately. Common pests that may affect Chinese Evergreens include scale insects, spider mites and mealy bugs.
Scale insects are small bumps on the surface of the leaves that suck sap from the plant while leaving a sticky residue behind. Spider mites are tiny red or black arachnids that spin webs between leaf surfaces; they leave yellow spots on foliage when feeding.
Find out more about common indoor plant pests in Australia.
Diseases
The Chinese Evergreen plant, also known as Aglaonema commutatum, is a common houseplant that is popular for its resilient and low-maintenance care. While this plant offers many benefits to its owners, it can also be vulnerable to certain diseases if the right preventative measures are not taken.
One of the most common diseases affecting Chinese Evergreen plants is called root rot. This happens when the soil in which the plant lives becomes overly saturated with water, leading to an overabundance of bacteria that begins to attack the roots and stem of the plant.
To prevent root rot from occurring, it’s important to make sure that your Chinese Evergreen receives only moderate amounts of watering; too little or too much can both cause damage. Other diseases that may affect this species include leaf spot fungus and bacterial blight.
Soil
Soil is a crucial element in the growth of Chinese evergreen plants. Without it, these impressive houseplants would struggle to thrive in our homes and gardens.
Knowing how to choose the right soil for your Chinese evergreen will ensure that it stays healthy and produces beautiful foliage year after year. The best soil for Chinese evergreens should be light and well-draining, allowing excess water to escape easily without leaving the roots waterlogged.
A potting mix that contains equal parts peat moss, perlite and vermiculite is an excellent choice as it provides good drainage while also retaining some moisture. If you’re planting directly in your garden, adding organic matter such as compost or aged manure can help improve your soil’s structure and fertility levels.
Learn how to lower your soil PH.
Pot size
The Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum) is an attractive, low-maintenance houseplant that grows well indoors. It’s a popular choice for many homes and offices due to its attractive foliage and ease of care.
To ensure the success of this plant, it’s important to consider pot size when planting. When choosing a pot size for growing Chinese Evergreen, it’s best to select one that allows enough room for the roots and soil so the plant will be able to grow at an appropriate rate.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a pot around 3-5 cm larger in diameter than the root ball or nursery pot. It’s also important that the container has drainage holes in order to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
Pruning your Chinese Evergreen
Pruning is a vital part of growing Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum). Pruning helps to control the size and shape of the plant, as well as promote healthy growth.
Regular pruning also encourages new leaves to form, removes dead or dying foliage and keeps the plant looking its best. In order for this popular houseplant to thrive, it needs regular pruning and maintenance.
When pruning Chinese Evergreen, start by removing any discoloured or damaged leaves that may have accumulated throughout the season. Cut away any stems that are crossing over each other or seem overcrowded in order to create an open and airy shape. Prune back straggly stems towards their trunk while leaving larger lower leaves intact so they can continue providing nutrients to the entire plant.
Propagating your Chinese Evergreen
Propagation is a popular method for reproducing plants, and it is the perfect way to add more Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema Commutatum) to your home or garden. Growing from cuttings is an easy and efficient way to propagate this tropical evergreen.
Chinese Evergreen produces a large number of short stems that can be used as cuttings. It’s important to use sharp pruning shears when harvesting cuttings, which should be 10-15 cm long with at least two or three leaves per stem.
After cutting, remove any lower leaves from the stem so you are left with just one or two sets of leaves near the top. Dip each cutting in rooting hormone powder before planting into moist potting soil enriched with organic matter such as peat moss or composted bark.
Is Chinese Evergreen poisonous?
Are you interested in adding a tropical look to your garden? Look no further than the Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema Commutatum. This is a popular choice for novice and experienced gardeners alike, but there are some important facts to be aware of before planting.
One of these is that all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested by people or animals. This plant grows well indoors with bright indirect light, making it ideal for those living in cooler climates who still want to enjoy its beauty and colour.
It features long dark green leaves with white veins running through them, but can also come in shades of red and pink depending on the variety chosen.
Featured Image: Source
