How to grow and care for Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema / Rohdea japonica), and how does it differ from pothos?

The Chinese evergreen gets its name because its leaves stay green all year round, and it is one of the many green plants people love to grow; its leaves are green and its berries are red, and the green leaves and red berries set each other off beautifully. So, how do you grow a Chinese evergreen? And how does it differ from pothos? Below we introduce the growing methods and precautions for the Chinese evergreen and how it differs from pothos.

I. Introduction to the Chinese evergreen

1. Can the Chinese evergreen remove formaldehyde?

Besides beautifying the environment, the Chinese evergreen can also purify the air, absorbing indoor toxic gases and exhaust gases, releasing oxygen, and removing harmful substances such as nicotine and formaldehyde. It can usually be placed in the living room, study, or bedroom to beautify the home.

2. Is the Chinese evergreen edible?

The Chinese evergreen is edible; it can be served as a cold dish, or stir-fried or used in soup. A common way to eat it is to dry it first and then stir-fry it. The method is to soak the dried Chinese evergreen in cold water for half an hour, take it out and squeeze out the water, then directly stir-fry it in oil, or stir-fry it together with pork, peanuts, dried scallops, pine nuts, and so on.

II. Introduction to the growing methods and precautions for the Chinese evergreen!

1. Growing methods for the Chinese evergreen

(1) Propagation: there are three ways - sowing, division, and cuttings.

Sowing is best done between March and April; after sowing, water it and place it temporarily in a shaded spot, keeping the temperature between 25-30°C, and it will sprout in about 25 days. Division is best done in spring; after dividing, coat the cut with plant ash before potting, and after potting do not water too much. Cuttings are best done in spring and summer; they can be inserted into soil or into water, keeping the temperature between 25-30°C. Cuttings in soil take 20-28 days to root, while cuttings in water need the water changed once every 2 days and will root in 15-20 days.

(2) Soil: slightly acidic sandy loam.

The Chinese evergreen likes loose, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6-6.5, and dislikes hard clay and alkaline soil. Although ordinary garden soil can be used for growing it, a slightly acidic sandy loam rich in humus and loose and well-draining is best. You can mix humus soil, forest leaf mold, sandy vegetable garden soil, and cinder ash in equal parts for growing.

(3) Temperature: between 20-30°C.

The Chinese evergreen likes a high-temperature environment and is not cold-tolerant. The most suitable growing temperature is between 20-30°C. The temperature should not be too high, or it will wilt, and it should not be too low either; below 7°C will affect its normal growth.

(4) Humidity: rinse the leaves with warm water.

The Chinese evergreen likes a high-humidity environment. If the air is dry, undesirable conditions such as dry leaf tips can occur. Therefore, in summer, water the ground around the flower pot every morning and evening to create a humid microclimate, and also rinse the leaves with warm water every week to prevent the leaves from being polluted by smoke and dust, keeping the leaves fresh, delicate, and emerald green.

(5) Light: a place with scattered light.

The Chinese evergreen likes semi-shade or shade and dislikes direct strong light. Usually keep it in a place with scattered light. If grown in a greenhouse, shade it more than 60% in spring, summer, and autumn, and 40% in winter. In summer, it must not be exposed to the sun for long periods.

(6) Watering: not too much.

The Chinese evergreen likes moisture and fears waterlogging, so do not water too much, to prevent root rot. You can wait until the soil begins to dry out before watering. In spring and autumn, generally water once every 2—3 days; in summer, water once every evening; in winter, water once every 10 days.

(7) Fertilizing: fertilize once every 20 days.

The Chinese evergreen has a high fertilizer requirement. During the growing period, apply decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 20 days. In early summer, when growth is more vigorous, fertilize once every 10 days. In June-July, when flowering is abundant, fertilize once every 15 days. After fruiting, apply light fertilizer frequently so that the fruit color is bright and the fruit is plump.

2. Precautions for growing the Chinese evergreen

In summer, the Chinese evergreen must not be exposed to the sun, and in winter the temperature must not be lower than 7°C. Usually when watering, prevent waterlogging. If grown outdoors, guard against heavy rain, and do not let it get rained on during the flowering period. Around the start of summer, prune the plant, cutting off yellow leaves, damaged leaves, some old leaves, and split leaves. Usually pay attention to preventing and controlling diseases such as leaf spot and anthracnose, and pests such as brown soft scale.

III. How does the Chinese evergreen differ from pothos?

1. Different family and genus: the Chinese evergreen is an evergreen plant of the Asparagaceae family, Convallarieae tribe, and Rohdea genus; pothos is an evergreen vine plant of the Araceae family, Monstereae tribe, and Epipremnum genus.

2. Different leaves: the leaves of the Chinese evergreen are 5-12 cm long, thickly papery in texture, and oblong, lanceolate, or oblanceolate in shape, and it cannot climb; the leaves of pothos are 5-10 cm, thinly leathery in texture, and broadly ovate or heart-shaped, and its stems can climb.

3. Different flowers and fruit: the Chinese evergreen will bloom and bear fruit, with pale yellow flowers and red berries; pothos generally does not bloom or bear fruit.

4. Different value: both the Chinese evergreen and pothos can purify the air, but in terms of ornamentation, the Chinese evergreen can be enjoyed both for its leaves and its fruit, while pothos can only be enjoyed for its leaves.

The above is an introduction to the growing methods and precautions for the Chinese evergreen and the 4 differences from pothos. We hope it is useful to you.