Do you have a green thumb? If not, don’t worry! Chinese Evergreen care is easy for even beginner houseplant parents. It does well indoors and brings a lush, almost tropical ambiance to your home. They stand up well to poor lighting conditions, dry air, and even an extended period of time without watering.
If you’re new to growing indoor plants, start out with the Chinese Evergreen. It’s an ideal choice for busy plant parents because it is one of the easiest houseplants to grow and care for. Here are several tips that can help you learn how to care for Chinese Evergreen plants in your home with minimal effort.
Can Chinese Evergreen Grow Indoors?
Yes, Chinese Evergreen can grow indoors. It is an easy houseplant to care for and has a high tolerance for neglect so which makes it ideal for indoor growing. As long as you provide the correct lighting conditions your plant will then thrive in any room of your home or office.
It works well indoors because it can tolerate neglect and low light conditions. You may have also heard that the Chinese Evergreen plant has been known to remove toxins from the air in your home such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide.
The Chinese Evergreen plant is a good choice for you if you are new to indoor gardening because it is easy to grow and care for. As long as it has the right lighting conditions your plant will thrive in any room of your home or office without much effort on your part at all.
The Best Way to Plant a Chinese Evergreen
- Plants should be planted in a pot that is two to four inches larger than the current one.
- Make sure the container is 1/4 full of your potting mix. You can place a shallow layer of rocks at the bottom of the pot before adding the soil to encourage proper drainage. However, this step isn’t necessary with a well-draining container.)
- Take the Chinese evergreen out of its pot gently.
- Dislodge a few pieces of spent soil with your hands. In contrast, Chinese evergreens prefer root-bound conditions, so it isn’t necessary to tease apart their roots.
- In the new pot, place the plant’s rootball on top of the soil.
- Make sure the soil is completely covered around the roots of the plant. Leave only the plant’s stalk and leaves exposed.
- Add more soil to the top if necessary after watering thoroughly and compacting the soil.
- Be sure to let the soil drain completely.
- Set the potted plant into the desired spot.
FAQ: Chinese Plant Care
Your ability to troubleshoot your Chinese Evergreen plant problems will allow you to keep it healthy and thriving.
The following frequently asked questions will help guide you in the right direction on how to care for your indoor plant:
How Do You Care for Indoor Evergreens?
The Chinese Evergreen plant is a good choice for you if you are new to indoor gardening because it is easy to grow and care for. As long as it has the right lighting conditions your plant will thrive in any room of your home or office without much effort on your part at all.
The main things you must do to nurture your indoor evergreen plant is to water it regularly and keep it in a somewhat sunny spot.
In the winter when the days are shorter and there is less natural light, you may need to move your plant closer to a window or provide some supplemental artificial light. Make sure that it is planted in a pot with drainage holes as over-watering can be detrimental to the health of your plant.
How Much Light Do Chinese Evergreens Need?
The Chinese Evergreen plant does best in medium to bright indirect light. They will tolerate low light conditions but they may not thrive and may lose their leaves if they are kept in a dark area.
The ideal location for your Chinese evergreen plant is in an area where there is indirect sunlight and partial shade, a medium amount of light. This will provide enough light to your plant without burning its leaves.
The leaves of your Chinese evergreen will tell you whether it needs more light. If they are yellow, you need to give the plant more light. If you notice any signs of wilting, there is probably too much heat or not enough water.
Changing the location of your plant to one where it receives adequate light will solve the problem. Trim lower branches with pruning shears or a sharp knife. To improve air circulation and sunlight exposure to healthy parts of your tree, trim the ends of the branches as well.
This will help to divert energy from sunlight to the healthy parts of the plant and get it back on track.
How Do You Bring Chinese Evergreen Back to Life?
No matter how well you care for your Chinese Evergreen plant, it may occasionally suffer from problems like brown leaves or leaf drop. If this happens, don’t panic!
Bring your evergreen plant back to life by following these simple steps:
- Remove any dead or wilted leaves from the plant using clean hands or scissors.
- Check the soil to make sure it is moist but not wet. If it is dry, water your plant until the soil is saturated and then wait a few hours for the excess water to drain before watering again.
- If the leaves are drooping, give your plant a drink of room temperature water. Be careful not to get any water on the leaves as this could cause them to rot.
- If you notice brown spots on your plant’s leaves, move it away from direct sunlight and into an area with bright indirect light.
How Do You Know if Chinese Evergreens Need Water?
Put your finger in the soil to the first knuckle to test the moisture level. If the soil feels dry, then it is time to water your plant.
If you are not sure if your plant needs water, wait until the leaves start to droop a bit before watering. This will be an indication that the plant is thirsty and needs some hydration.
You can also familiarize yourself with the weight of the pot when it’s empty and when it is full of water so that you know when to water your plant by just feeling its weight.
How Often Should I Water My Chinese Evergreen?
How do you know when to water Chinese evergreens? As a rule of thumb, allow the top two inches to dry out before the next time you water your plant. Drainage is vital-since Chinese evergreens tend to have bound roots, which can cause root rot and stagnation in the pot.
If you’re wondering if you should mist your Chinese evergreen as well, it may be a good idea depending on your environment. Consider misting your plant’s leaves once or twice a week if you live in an arid environment. In order to increase the humidity in your plant’s immediate environment, you can place a tray filled with pebbles and water beneath the container.
Should I Cut Yellow Leaves off Chinese Evergreen?
Trimming Chinese evergreens is not necessary due to their dense foliage. Due to the fact that Chinese evergreen plants produce new growth from their crowns, pruning their leaves can kill the entire plant.
If your plant becomes leggy as it matures, you might be tempted to grab the pruners. But don’t do it! Instead, make sure you’re not overwatering your plant and it’s getting it enough light.
You can add another plant to a bare area or propagate Chinese evergreens by rooting stem cuttings. Take a six-inch cutting from the tips of new growth, and remove the leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the cutting before planting it in moist potting soil. Keep the soil slightly damp until new roots have formed.
How Do You Make Chinese Evergreen Bushy?
It happens, your Chinese plant may start to look like it had a bad day at the hairdresser. If you want to achieve that bushy look, there are a few things you can do:
The main cause of a Chinese evergreen losing its bushy form is that it has outgrown its pot. It also may be placed in an area of your house where there isn’t enough light. This plant does best in bright, indirect light. Otherwise, it will literally stretch to seek a better light source, resulting in a leggy sparse plant.
Does Chinese Evergreen Like to Be Root Bound?
In a “root-bound” plant, the roots completely occupy the space in the container containing it, forming a mass that occupies most of the space. Tangled knots can stress plants and prevent them from getting enough air, water, or nutrients.
The Chinese evergreen plant likes to be moderately root-bound, so don’t worry if your plant’s roots start to show through the drainage holes in the bottom of its pot. Once you notice the roots starting to grow out of the pot, it’s time to re-pot your plant into a container that is one size larger.
Can I Grow Chinese Evergreen in Water?
It’s possible to grow the Chinese evergreen plant in water. But the roots that sprout in the water may struggle when you transfer them to water.
This plant does better when directly planted in soil because it needs nutrients that are found in soil and not water. However, it is possible to grow the Chinese evergreen in water with extra care.
You can root a Chinese evergreen in water by taking a cutting from the stem of an existing plant and placing it in water. Change the water every other day and keep the cuttings in indirect light. Roots will start to form after a few weeks, at which time you can transplant them into a pot of soil.
How Fast do Chinese Evergreens Grow?
A Chinese evergreen plant can grow as fast as one inch every month. They tend to grow faster during the spring and summer months. Their maximum size is about three feet tall and two feet wide.
In addition to waiting for the right season, there are a few things you can do to speed up the growth cycle of your plant. The first thing to do is to water it more frequently. Misting the leaves with water can also help.
You can also plant your Chinese evergreen in a pot filled with nutrient-rich soil. Fertilize your plant a few times during its growing season with a water-soluble fertilizer to help it grow faster.
Do Chinese Evergreens Need Drainage?
Chinese evergreen plants should always be watered thoroughly. Water the soil thoroughly by circling that watering can all around the pot and keeping the pot wet until the water drains. It is essential to have drainage holes so that the water can escape and the roots don’t sit in wet soil for an extended period of time.
If your pot doesn’t have drainage holes, you can create them with a sharp object or by drilling them into the pot. Another way to provide good drainage is to place a layer of stones at the bottom of the pot before adding soil. This will help to keep the roots dry and prevent root rot.
Do Chinese Evergreens Go Dormant?
Chinese evergreen plants can go completely dormant in the wintertime. It will start to show signs of dormancy when the temperatures drop and the days shorten. Some leaves may turn yellow and fall off. The plant will stop growing and may even lose some of its color.
During dormancy, it is important to not over-water the plant. water it only when the soil is dry to the touch 2 inches deep. fertilizing should also be stopped during this time. If you live in an area with very cold winters, you may need to move your plant to a location where the temperature will not drop below 50 degrees F.
Make sure that your dormant Chinese evergreen gets enough humidity. The winter months can be very dry and this can cause the leaves to shrivel up and die. One way to provide humidity is to place your plant near a humidifier or in the bathroom while you’re taking a shower. Make sure to dust your plant regularly as well to prevent attracting disease or pests.
Why Is My Chinese Evergreen Plant Not Growing?
As mentioned above, one reason why your Chinese evergreen isn’t growing is that it’s in dormancy. Another reason may be due to the fact that it’s not getting enough light. Chinese evergreen plants need bright, indirect light to grow properly.
If your plant is in a sunny spot but the leaves are still wilting, it may be because the pot is too small and the roots are becoming constricted. Move your plant to a larger pot or divide it into two plants.
Final Thoughts
Now you’re a pro when it comes to Chinese evergreen care! Be sure to keep the tips in mind when caring for your plant and it will thrive. If you have any sure-fire tips for keeping your plant healthy, be sure to share them in the comments below!
