Aglaonema commutatum aka Chinese Evergreen
Taxonomy
Aglaonema commutatum, also known as the poison dart plant, is a species of flowering plant in the Chinese evergreen genus Aglaonema, family Araceae. It is native to the Philippines and northeastern Sulawesi, but has been introduced to many other tropical locales, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Comoros, the Chagos Archipelago, India, Bangladesh, and the Cook Islands. With its hybrid cultivar 'Silver Queen' (with A. nitidum), it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as a houseplant. Evergreen grasses, with vertical and uninterruptedly-branched stems, form an apical crown and have smooth green internodes with oval-ellipsoid leaves which could be variously asymmetrical, stripy, silver and pale green-spotted. Inflorescences are 1-9 in each sympoidal branch and covered with oval to spherical fruits. Chinese evergreens have had a long history of being symbols of good fortune in the Asian homes, and the Aglaonema commutatum, specifically its hybrid cultivar, is now a popular choice for many Western homes in its sought after foliage look and good luck charm.
Common names
Chinese Evergreen, Silver Queen AglaonemaHow to care for Chinese Evergreen
Difficulty
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Chinese Evergreen, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Soil
Chinese Evergreen loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Chinese Evergreen prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it is common for Chinese Evergreen plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Chinese Evergreen is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Humidity
The Chinese Evergreen is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
The Chinese Evergreen should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
The Chinese Evergreen is clumping in nature, with new growth originating from the soil in close proximity to the original plant.
Region of origin
Chinese Evergreen’s native range is tropical Asia and New Guinea.
Flower
If you provide your Chinese Evergreen with adequate amounts of sunlight and water, it will bloom.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Aglaonema Genus
Aglaonema modestum Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema Aglaonema
Aglaonema brevispathum Indo China Aglaonema
Aglaonema simplex Malayan Sword
Aglaonema philippinense Philippines Aglaonema
Aglaonema rotundum Red Vein Aglaonema
Aglaonema costatum Spotted Evergreen
Aglaonema nitidum Aglaonema Aroid
