Houseplant of the Month – Chinese Evergreen

This month’s Houseplant of the Month, is the Chinese Evergreen, also known as the Aglaonema. Its Latin name is derived from the Greek words ‘agláos’ (shining) and ‘néma’ (thread), referring to the flowers’ shiny stamens.

A member of the Aroid family (Araceae), this easy-going plant is native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia. It has large, spear-shaped leaves marked in green, grey, white or red.

The all-green varieties are able to thrive in poorly-lit conditions, which makes them the perfect choice for dark corners or north facing rooms in your home. However, the varieties with variegated foliage need bright conditions to encourage good leaf markings.

Older Aglaonema plants will sometimes produce flowers reminiscent of peace lilies in the spring or summer months.

Care wise, it’s best to keep Chinese Evergreen plants out of direct sunlight to avoid their leaves getting scorched. Water them regularly, allowing the compost to dry slightly between waterings. And in the winter months, water them sparingly. They like to be kept warm, grown in shallow pots and kept well away from draughts.

So, if you’re looking to add some beautiful foliage to your home this autumn, especially for a dark room, why not consider a Chinese Evergreen?

P.S. If you love Chinese Evergreen plants, you may like to visit The Joy of Plants website.
P.P.S. If you’re a florist and would like more information, simply visit The Flower Council of Holland website.

* This post is brought to you in collaboration with The Flower Council of Holland. All the words are my own.

(Images : The Flower Council of Holland)