People started bringing them inside and keeping them as houseplants—ones that could survive in darker parlor rooms, at that—around the Victorian era. Over time, Chinese evergreens have been bred to take on bright shades like hot pink (Aglaonema Creta), and today, you can find many varieties of the plant in offices, shops, and residences that don’t get a lot of bright light, as well as in tropical gardens. You can usually spot a Chinese evergreen by its leaves: They’re long, with a strong vein running down the middle and a speckled pattern along the sides. “Because of their tolerance for both moist and dry conditions, and the fact that they will tolerate low light, they are a perfect choice for less than ideal light conditions or forgetful plant owners,” says Pangborn. While it isn’t the fastest-growing plant out there, Chris Satch, a plant specialist at Horti, has found that Chinese evergreens can get up to 3 feet tall when properly cared for. With time, it can also spread outward and grow up to 3 feet wide. “If planting outdoors, make sure to keep it in full shade,” adds Satch. He finds that the plant makes for great ground cover in places that don’t get a lot of foot traffic, like shaded alleyways. “Because they’re so easygoing, Aglaonemas are perfectly suited for a modern living room or office, dim bedroom, or cozy study,” says Pangborn. “They will also do well in a bathroom since it’s also a room with low light and will benefit from the added humidity.” If you’re keeping it as a houseplant, water your Chinese evergreen when the first few inches of soil feel dry to the touch: “Every five to 10 days depending on how much light/heat the plant is getting,” says Satch. If you’re struggling to know when to water your plant, check out this helpful guide. “Water slowly to allow water to soak into the potting soil until it flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot,” says Pangborn. “Discard any water that accumulates in the saucer.” You can also place your plant in a steamy bathroom, next to a humidifier, or near any of these other DIY tools that’ll increase your home’s moisture. You’ll know you’ve gone overboard and they’re getting too much sun if their leaves begin to fold upward or develop spots that look scorched or bleached. If that happens, move them farther away from the nearest window. If temperatures dip much below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant might get too cold and its leaves will begin to brown and curl around the edges. Avoid placing your Chinese evergreen too close to a drafty window or air conditioner. When you notice that your plant’s roots are growing out of its pot’s drainage hole, that’s a sign it could use some more space. Here’s a primer on how to give it a new home when the time comes. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
