Chinese Evergreen
Patterned leaves in silver, green, pink or red on one of the most low-light-tolerant plants there is. Slow, steady and forgiving, and a favourite for offices and hallways for exactly that reason.
The Chinese evergreen is the plant in the office lobby that has looked the same for five years. That is a compliment. It grows slowly, tolerates dim corners and dry air, and comes in enough leaf patterns to be interesting.
The green and silver types take the lowest light. The pink and red types, like Siam Aurora, want a bit more to keep their colour.
Light
Low to medium indirect light. A north window, an interior wall with a lamp, or a few feet from any window is fine. The darker and greener the leaf, the less light it needs. Keep all of them out of direct sun.
Water
Let the top two inches dry out, then water. Every nine days or so in summer, half that in winter. It would rather be slightly dry than wet; yellow lower leaves mean you are overdoing it.
Soil and potting
A standard well-draining mix. Repot every two years. It grows slowly and does not mind a snug pot.
Feeding
A balanced feed at half strength every eight weeks in spring and summer. It needs little.
Propagation
Division of a mature clump in spring, or stem cuttings rooted in water in warm months. Both are slow but reliable.
In a hot, dry home
A good match for dry, air-conditioned rooms. Brown tips appear if it sits in a vent's draft; move it a few feet. Otherwise it is one of the least demanding plants we have grown here.
Chinese Evergreen varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Silver Bay
Large silver-green leaves with dark green edges. The classic and one of the toughest.
- Maria
Dark green leaves with silver feathering. Very shade tolerant.
- Ruby Garuda
Green leaves heavily splashed with pink and red. Wants medium light for colour.
- Lady Valentine
Pink leaves with green edges and speckles.
- Red Siam
Green leaves with red veins and edges.
- First Diamond
Cream-white leaves with green speckling.
- Pictum Tricolor
Camouflage-patterned leaves in three greens. Slower and pricier.
- Red Vein
Green leaves with a red midrib.
- Pink Pearl
Pale pink leaves with green margins.
- Rich Red
Deep red leaves with green edges.
- Wishes
Pink and green speckled leaves.
- Cutlass
Narrow, sword-shaped silver-green leaves.
- Sparkling Sarah
Green leaves with pink veins and speckles.
- Snow Cap
Pale cream leaves with a green margin.
- Golden Karat
Yellow-gold leaves with green speckles.
Problems and fixes
Lower leaves yellowing
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Let it dry out further between waterings.
Brown, crisp edges
Likely cause: Cold draft or dry air from a vent
Fix: Move it away from the AC and any door that lets in cold air.
Colour fading to green
Likely cause: Not enough light for a coloured variety
Fix: Move it a little closer to a window, still out of direct sun.
Chinese Evergreen questions
Can Chinese evergreen live in a room with no window?
The green varieties can, with a decent ceiling light or lamp on most of the day. Growth will be slow. The pink and red varieties need a window.
Is Chinese evergreen toxic to pets?
Yes, to cats and dogs. It contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth irritation and drooling.
How often should I water a Chinese evergreen?
Every nine days or so in summer and about every two weeks in winter. Let the top two inches dry first.
Plants with a similar rhythm
ZZ Plant
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
