A Detailed Guide to Growing and Caring for Giant Leaf Evergreen (Aglaonema)

SummaryMethods for growing Giant Leaf Evergreen: use sandy loam rich in humus for growing; in summer, avoid direct strong light; in spring, autumn, and winter, provide ample light; during the growing period, keep the potting soil moist; apply decomposed liquid fertilizer once about every 15 days, and promptly prune yellow leaves, damaged leaves, and some old leaves. Precautions for growing Giant Leaf Evergreen: the sap and stems of Giant Leaf Evergreen are toxic, so skin should not touch it casually, and it must especially be kept from getting into the mouth.

I. Methods for Growing Giant Leaf Evergreen

1. Choosing Soil

Sandy loam rich in humus is suitable for growing Giant Leaf Evergreen, generally with a pH of around 6.3; this kind of soil can be purchased directly at flower markets.

2. Suitable Light

Giant Leaf Evergreen needs suitable light to grow better. In summer, it can be placed in a shaded spot to avoid strong light, while in spring, autumn, and winter, it can be placed in a sunny, well-ventilated place for care.

3. Timely Watering

Giant Leaf Evergreen has very strong vitality, but during the growing period, it needs to be watered once in the morning and once in the evening every day, and the potting soil should be kept moist; try not to water the plant at noon.

4. Reasonable Fertilizing

To make Giant Leaf Evergreen grow more robustly, during the early growth stage apply decomposed liquid fertilizer once about every 15 days, and during the vigorous growth period apply fertilizer once every 10 days, which helps promote good plant growth.

5. Regular Pruning

Giant Leaf Evergreen is a foliage plant. Yellow leaves, damaged leaves, and some old leaves on the lower part of the plant should be pruned promptly, which helps maintain a good shape and improve its ornamental value.

II. Precautions for Growing Giant Leaf Evergreen

1. During the growing period, do not touch it casually, because the sap and stems of Giant Leaf Evergreen are toxic and contain a toxic alkaloid. If it touches the skin, it can cause severe itching and dermatitis; if accidentally ingested, it can cause severe tongue pain and make it impossible to speak.

2. Therefore, try not to let skin contact the plant, and especially avoid getting it into the mouth, otherwise it will cause skin itching and pain or other symptoms of poisoning. It also should not be grown in the bedroom, because Giant Leaf Evergreen consumes a relatively large amount of oxygen at night, which will lower the oxygen content in a closed room, so it can be grown in places such as the living room or balcony.

III. Medicinal Value of Giant Leaf Evergreen

1. According to the record in "Lingnan Caoyao Lu," this plant is pungent, slightly bitter, cold, and slightly toxic, and has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and reducing swelling and relieving pain. The whole plant can be used as medicine; its leaves simmered together with lean meat can treat heat-blood, coughing blood, large intestine heat bind, and prolapse of the anus in children, and other conditions.

2. The stems and leaves pounded with slab sugar can be applied to treat rabies bites. In addition, the whole plant can also be applied to treat snake bites, sore throat and swelling, and furuncles and toxic swellings, and decocted in water it can treat hemorrhoids, and other conditions.

IV. Distribution Range of Giant Leaf Evergreen

1. In China, Giant Leaf Evergreen is mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi to southeastern Yunnan (Funing, Pingbian) and nearby areas.

2. It prefers to grow under dense forests at an altitude of 500-1700 m, and is a relatively common shade plant under evergreen broad-leaved forests. In provinces north and south, it is often potted and placed indoors for medicinal and ornamental use, and it is also cultivated in Vietnam and the Philippines.