Common Name: Chinese evergreen
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Araceae
Zone: 10 to 11
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Description: White spadix with greenish-yellow spathe
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful, Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Drought, Heavy Shade
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-11. Grow as an indoor plant in the St. Louis area. Prefers diffused sun or good bright indirect light with consistent moisture from spring to fall. Plants thrive in warm temperatures with high humidity. Placement at an unobstructed window facing north or east is a good location. Avoid placing in direct sun. Best performance occurs with a rich, well-drained, peaty potting mixture. This plant does not require winter dormancy, but appreciates a winter period of rest. Reduce watering from early fall to late winter, but do not allow soils to dry out. This indoor plant tolerates atmospheric dryness and somewhat shady locations. Normal room temperature with recommended 60°F minimum winter temperature is recommended. Cold drafts may damage the leaves.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Aglaonema is a genus of of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials from tropical Asia.
Genus name comes from the Greek words aglaos meaning bright or clear and nema meaning a thread in reference to the stamens.
Aglaonema 'Silver Queen', sometimes called painted drop tongue, is an evergreen perennial with a free-branching habit that typically grows to 24” tall. It is a very popular houseplant that survives well in low light. It is primarily grown for its attractive variegated foliage and not for its insignificant flowers. Thick, elliptic to lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 4-6” long and 2-3” wide) with attractive silver-gray variegation appear on short stems rising from the soil. Leaves are silvery-white with green margins and veins. As the plant ages, it begins to develop a trunk-like stem as the lower leaves fall off. Flowers (typical arum family) appear on a small creamy white spadix surrounded by a greenish-yellow spathe. Flowers usually bloom in summer to early fall. Clusters of orange berries follow the flowers. Flowers and fruit are infrequently produced indoors.
Problems
Watch for aphids, mealybugs, spider mites or scale. Rots may occur if plants are over-watered. Leaves may brown up if plants are grown in very dry air or placed in a drafty location.
Uses
Houseplant for bright to moderatly bright areas.