Aglaonema commutatum

Common Names

Chinese Evergreen, Poison Dart Plant, Philippine Evergreen, Golden Evergreen, Chinese Evergreen Plant

Summary

Chinese evergreen is an evergreen perennial herb native to humid forests of Asia, including Sulawesi and the Philippines. It forms erect stems with thick, elliptic-lanceolate leaves that are dark green with silver-grey variegation along the main veins, reaching 12–30 cm long and 6–12 cm wide and a height of 0.5–1 m; inflorescences are axillary, featuring a cream-white spadix enclosed by a pale green spathe, and red berries may follow, though indoors flowering is rare.

Tolerant of low to bright indirect light (variegated forms require brighter diffuse light); prefers a well-drained, acidic to neutral soil and should be watered when the topsoil dries, avoiding overwatering; thrives in warm, humid conditions with temperatures around 15–22°C and high humidity; rotate for even growth and propagate by division or cuttings; container culture; outdoors in warm shade, USDA zones 10–12; used as an indoor decorative plant and in shaded outdoor plantings; all parts are poisonous if ingested; pests include mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scale; repot every 2–3 years and fertilize lightly during the growing season.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

1-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10-11

Sunlight Requirements

Partial Shade to Full Shade

Soil Type

Well-draining loamy or peat-based soil with added drainage material (perlite or sand)

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5-6.5, slightly acidic

Bloom Color

White to cream white

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Dark green with silvery-gray variegation

Fall Foliage Color

Dark green with silvery-grey variegations

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow to moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering