Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): Care and Features

General Features

• Ease of Care: One of the easiest foliage plants to grow especially in atrium. If keeping indoors transfer to well ventilated space with indirect light every 3-4 days.

• Light: Tolerates low light better than most houseplants (ideal for shaded indoor corners). Variegated and red varieties thrive in brighter corners. 

• Foliage: Glossy, often variegated leaves that arch outward.

• Growth Habit:

  • Small plants: Can survive in plain water or in pebbles/marbles until potted.

  • Large plants: Can grow up to 90 cm (36 in), though usually smaller.

  • Newer cultivars: Stay bushier, resist cold better.

• Propagation Note: Growth emerges from the crown. Cannot be pruned back drastically, or the plant will die.

Environmental Needs

• Temperature: Above 16°C (60°F) at all times. Avoid cold drafts/windows.

• Light: Prefers shade / low light (commercial growers use 70–90% shade). Too much sun causes stress.

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Can adapt to semi-hydroponic setups.

Here's my collection of Chinese Evergreen

Propagation

These plants are very easy to propagate. The image below is descriptive enough.

Common Pests on Aglaonema & Natural Remedies

1. Mealy leaves/stems) bugs (white cottony clumps on

Symptoms: Leaves look sticky, weak growth

Remedies:

• Dab with Cotton dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
• Spray with neem oil + mild soap solution every 7 days until gone.
• Increase air circulation.

2. Scale Insects (small brown/black discs on stems/undersides of leaves)

Symptoms: Leaves yellow, plant weak despite watering.

Remedies:

• Scrape gently with fingernail or soft brush.
• Apply neem oil spray (weekly).
• For heavy infestations: prune badly affected parts.

3. Spider Mites (tiny red/brown dots, fine webs under leaves)

Symptoms: Stippled, dusty-looking leaves, leaf drop.

Remedies:

• Wash leaves with lukewarm water to knock off mites.
• Mist plant regularly (mites hate humidity).
• Spray with garlic or chili-pepper extract spray.

4. Aphids (small green/black insects near new leaves)

Symptoms: Distorted, curled leaves. Sticky residue.

Remedies:

• Spray with soap-water solution (2 drops mild liquid soap in 500ml water).
• Release ladybugs outdoors if possible (natural predators).
• Neem oil weekly.

5. Fungus Gnats (tiny black flies in soil)

Symptoms: Flies hover near potting soil, roots suffer.

Remedies:

• Let soil dry slightly between watering.
• Sprinkle cinnamon powder on top of soil (natural antifungal)
• Add yellow sticky traps near pot.

Preventive Care Tips

1. Wipe leaves weekly with a damp cloth.
2. Avoid overwatering (soggy soil attracts pests).
3. Quarantine new plants before placing near existing ones.
4. Use neem oil spray monthly as a preventive measure.

Indoor Plants as Air Purifiers

 The 1989 NASA Clean Air Study identified several common indoor plants that can help remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air in sealed environments. The study was conducted in partnership with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) to find ways to clean the air in spacecraft.

Here is the list of some of the plants found to remove pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene through their leaves and root systems, where microbes in the soil also play a key role.

• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa') - Effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and ammonia.

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) - Known for removing a variety of pollutants including formaldehyde and benzene. It also uniquely releases oxygen at night.

• English Ivy (Hedera helix) - Great at filtering out airborne mold spores, as well as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - One of the easiest to care for, it's known for removing formaldehyde and xylene.

• Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) - This flowering plant removes a wide range of toxins, including ammonia and benzene.

• Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) - Filters out pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene.

• Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) - Excellent for removing formaldehyde and benzene while also adding moisture to the air.

• Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata) - A popular, easy-to-grow plant that removes benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

• Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) - An efficient filter for formaldehyde and benzene.

• Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) - This flowering plant is effective at removing trichloroethylene and benzene.

Important Context about the Study 

It's important to note that the study was conducted in small, sealed chambers and does not directly translate to the conditions of a typical home or office. 

Subsequent research has found that for plants to have a significant effect on indoor air quality in a standard, ventilated building, you would need an impractically large number of plants—potentially dozens per square meter. 

The primary way to improve indoor air quality remains proper ventilation and addressing the source of the pollutants.