Chinese evergreen is a superb flowering plant. Its scientific name is Aglaonema, which refers to bringing good luck, success, and prosperity. It is a very popular houseplant. It is easy to maintain, easy to care for, and easy to grow. The big leaves carry the beauty of this beautiful plant because each variety of this plant has differently colored leaves. At last, it can be said that Chinese evergreen is a perfect beginner’s plant.
Types of Chinese Evergreen
There are various types of Chinese evergreen, including:
White Joy
It has creamy white foliage with deep green leaves. It is a newer and more rare variety.
Silver Queen
It has dark green leaves with silver or cream-colored stripes. It is the most common type of Chinese evergreen.
Lemon Mint
Lemon Mint has yellow veining and silver blotches throughout the foliage with striking green.
Red Siam
Red Siam’s stems are pink. Its leaves are rimmed in red, speckled in green and yellow.
Diamond Bay
Its leaves are silver-green in color, and the centers of the leaves are pale.
Maria
It has long, narrow leaves in light and dark green.
Sparkling Sarah
It has pink veins and stems, which look very beautiful.
Tips for Growing Chinese Evergreen
If you enjoy the beauty of the Chinese evergreen plant, you must follow some tips which are very lovely, useful, and easy. These are:
- Use suitable soil
- Give enough water
- Choose a perfect place and put the plant there
- Give it fertilizer
- Provide the right temperature and humidity
- Keep it away from insects
- Prune the plant
Common problems with Chinese evergreen and their solutions
Now, I am trying to describe these tips from my own experience.
1. Soil
Soil is one of the important elements for every plant because plants get many nutrients, nitrogen, etc., from soil. Each plant needs a slightly different type of soil. Some plants need loamy soil, some need dry soil, and some need slightly acidic soil. Chinese evergreen needs acidic soil and prefers well-drained soil. I am growing my Chinese evergreen in my indoor space. For this reason, I am using golden soil for my lovely plant because golden soil is good for indoor plants. It helps your plant to improve aeration and air-holding capacity. You can also use lightweight soil for your plant. As Chinese evergreen is an indirect light plant, lightweight soil is good for it. To increase air and nutrient-holding capacity, help plants grow healthy and well, you can use mini peat moss, coconut husk, sand, and perlite in the soil in the proper ratio.
2. Water
Water is another important element for plants. Every plant needs more or less water. When you grow your Chinese evergreen in an indoor space, it doesn’t need too much water. When the soil is dry 2–3 inches deep, then water the plant. Too much water is not good for Chinese evergreen because it causes root rot. You should water your plant every 2–3 days in summer. In winter, you should water it every 5–6 days. Avoid overwatering and underwatering because both are harmful to the plant.
3. Perfect Place
Each plant needs a perfect place to grow properly. Some plants need bright light, some need low light, some need direct or indirect light. Chinese evergreen needs low to bright light but doesn’t tolerate direct light. Direct light causes leaf burn. It prefers indirect light to grow well. For this reason, place your plant where morning sunlight comes in but not strong daylight. Morning sunlight is good for plants. You should put your plant in a place where direct sunlight cannot reach.
4. Fertilizer
As soil does not contain all nutrients, I use fertilizer for my plant. I always use water-soluble and slow-release fertilizer. When I use water-soluble fertilizer, I can easily adjust the amount. It is very helpful for me and my lovely plant. Slow-release fertilizer is also good because it can last several months. I also use banana peel water as an easy and hassle-free fertilizer. Take banana peels in a bowl, cover with a little water, and keep for 2 to 3 days. Then use that water on the root of the plant. It works like a fertilizer as it contains magnesium and potassium. Avoid using too much fertilizer because it damages the plant by increasing disease and interfering with water absorption. Also, avoid using too little fertilizer because it decreases the immunity of the plant. Plants may become deformed, the leaves shrivel, and they turn brown. So, be careful with fertilizer use.
5. Temperature and Humidity
Chinese evergreen prefers a temperature range between 65°F and 80°F. It doesn’t like cold drafts and doesn’t tolerate temperatures below 55°F. Chinese evergreen tolerates high humidity. So, in summer, you may place your garden plants in your room or kitchen. You can also place a tray filled with small stones and water under the plant pot.
6. Insect Problem
Insect problems are common and very harmful to plant health. They damage young roots, stop plant growth, and cause many other problems. To remove this problem, mix rubbing alcohol, water, and dishwashing detergent properly and apply it to your plant. I use it too when pests and insects attack my plants. I also use a clove of garlic in the plant’s soil to get rid of bugs.
7. Pruning
Pruning is very important for healthy plant growth. It encourages new growth and helps the plant grow well. It is very easy to prune Chinese evergreen. First, find the yellow and damaged leaves and stems. Then take scissors and remove the damaged leaves and cut the damaged stems.
8. Common Problems and Solutions
I faced some common problems when I took care of my Chinese evergreen plant. Now I am sharing these common problems and their easy solutions:
Underwatering, poor growth, and lack of fertilizer
These cause lower growth. So, you should water the plant properly and avoid using too much or too little fertilizer.
Smelly Soil
When excess water cannot drain from the container, the roots rot and cause a foul smell. So, use a pot with sufficient drainage holes.
Brown Leaves
Too much watering and direct sunlight are the main reasons for brown leaves. So, keep your plant away from direct sunlight.
Discolored Spots on Leaves
Pest infestation causes this problem. You should use a fertilizer or pesticide suitable for pests to solve this.
Finally, it can be said that when you provide enough water, sunlight, temperature, humidity, space, and fertilizer to your plant, it will grow well.
