Aglaonema acutispathum

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese evergreen

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Other common names

green-for-ten-thousand-years, lily of China

Synonyms

Aglaonema acutispathum

Award of Garden Merit
Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

An erect, tropical perennial with 20cm long, shiny dark green leaves with wavy margins, held on leaf stalks 10-20cm long. Inconspicuous green flowers may be produced in summer. A good foliage houseplant for a spot out of direct sun

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Aglaonema are rhizomatous evergreen perennials with short stems bearing long-stalked, often attractively variegated leaves and rather insignificant, greenish or cream flowering spathes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S China, N Laos, N Thailand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a house or conservatory plant in houseplant compost, position the plants in bright, filtered light. Direct sun may scorch the foliage. Water moderately; allow some drying out in between applications in winter. Mist daily and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season. Pot on every 2-3 years. See houseplant cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by separating basal shoots with 3 or 4 leaves, ideally with roots attached, or divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to stem and root rots in very wet compost