Aglaonema commutatum
Chinese evergreen plants (Aglaonema) are popular houseplants because of their ability to thrive in low light and modest care requirements. Despite their hardiness, Chinese evergreen plants still require attentive care in order to grow and stay healthy. This comprehensive guide will provide details on the light, soil, water, temperature & humidity, and fertilizer needs for proper maintenance of these beautiful indoor plants.
Chinese evergreen plants prefer medium to low indirect light but can tolerate some direct sunlight if it’s not too intense. However, they should not be placed in an area with direct sunlight for extended periods of time as this could cause leaf burn or scorching. The ideal location is a spot that receives several hours of bright indirect sunlight every day without any direct sun exposure. If your home doesn't have enough natural light coming through the windows, you can supplement artificial grow lights or a fluorescent plant lamp to meet the plant's lighting requirements.
When planting Chinese evergreens in pots or containers, it is important to use well-draining potting soil that won't retain too much moisture. A good potting mix should contain equal parts loam and peat moss with some perlite added in for optimal drainage and aeration. When repotting your Chinese evergreen into a larger container, you should also add a slow-release fertilizer into your potting mix to give your plant an extra boost of nutrition during its transition period.
Overwatering is one of the most common problems when growing these indoor plants so it’s essential to observe proper watering techniques when caring for them. You should wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before watering again as over-watering can cause root rot or fungal diseases which can kill the plant entirely. When watering your indoor Chinese evergreen plants make sure that you are using room temperature water as cold water can shock your plant's delicate roots and cause damage to them over time.
One of the great things about Chinese evergreens is that they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures making them perfect for homes with less than ideal climate control settings. That said, it is best if you keep them away from cold drafts or air vents as these can potentially damage their fragile leaves during winter months when temperatures drop significantly indoors. As far as humidity goes, these tropical houseplants do prefer higher levels so try setting up a humidifier nearby to increase the average room humidity up to around 40%-60%. Additionally, misting your plants occasionally can help keep their leaves hydrated and prevent spider mite infestations which usually occur when humidity levels remain consistently low indoors.
To ensure healthy growth throughout the year you should fertilize your Chinese evergreen plants once every two weeks during spring and summer months with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted down by half its recommended dosage on its label instructions . During fall and winter months reduce fertilization frequency down to once per month as these subtropical houseplants tend to enter into dormancy cycles when temperatures dip significantly indoors during nighttime hours . Avoid using any type of organic fertilizer such as compost tea or manure tea on Chinese evergreens as this could potentially burn their delicate foliage over time due to their high nitrogen content .
