Meet The Chinese Evergreen: A Pretty Plant That Can Survive In Lower Light Conditions

As far as low-maintenance houseplants go, the Chinese evergreen is a standout thanks to its unique leaf pattern and ability to thrive in lower light conditions. Native to the rainforests of Asia, Chinese evergreens can now be found throughout the world, in many colors and shades. Here's how greenery experts recommend caring for the resilient plant.

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.

Many varieties of Chinese evergreens are now available in nurseries and plant shops. Here are some of the popular ones Pangborn sees around the most:

"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."

Here's how to keep your hardy Chinese evergreen happy with the right amount of water, light, and heat.

"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.

"Aglaonema like a well-draining soil that retains a bit of moisture—any general-purpose houseplant potting soil will be perfect," Pangborn says. "Fertilize once a month during the spring and summer with a liquid fertilizer for indoor plants."

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.

If you notice your Chinese evergreen starts to look yellow, droopy, or otherwise sad, here are some potential causes:

As they get older, Chinese evergreens grow by producing underground shoots called pups, making them easy to propagate. Once the pup has grown two to three leaves of its own, you can separate it from its parent plant and grow it in its own pot. This is called a division propagation method, and here's how it's done:

Division tends to be the easiest method, but Chinese evergreens can also be propagated using a stem-cutting technique (more on that here). And Satch adds that since some Chinese evergreen plants eventually flower, they can be pollinated and propagated by seed, too—though the process is more involved and can take up to a year or longer.

If you're looking for your next plant pal, Chinese evergreen plants, or Aglaonemas, make for a wonderfully chill houseplant or garden addition. Just make sure to give them enough heat and humidity and don't overwhelm them with too much sun.