The Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) is a well-loved houseplant recognized for its striking and varied foliage. Its popularity stems from its ability to maintain a lush, decorative appearance indoors, offering a splash of tropical color and texture. The visual appeal is diverse, ranging from deep, solid greens to complex patterns that incorporate shades of silver, cream, and vibrant pink or red. Extensive cultivation has resulted in a wide array of looks.
The Basic Structure and Growth Habit
The Chinese Evergreen is an herbaceous perennial that typically exhibits a compact, upright, and bushy growth habit. Indoor specimens generally reach a height between 1 and 3 feet, making them versatile for various spaces from tabletops to floor displays. The plant grows by producing new leaves that emerge directly from short, fleshy stems, often creating a dense, clumping appearance at the base.
The stems are typically short and often hidden by the dense crown of leaves. Older plants may develop a more noticeable, cane-like structure, and in many cultivated varieties, these stems display colors like white, cream, or even pink, adding subtle visual interest beneath the foliage canopy.
Distinctive Leaf Characteristics
The foliage is characterized by large, simple leaves that are generally lance-shaped or oval (elliptic). These leaves are attached to the stem by a petiole, or leaf stalk, which varies in length and color depending on the specific variety. New leaves emerge tightly rolled and slowly unfurl, eventually reaching lengths of 6 to 12 inches.
The leaf blades possess a slightly waxy, glossy, or leathery texture, giving them a durable, polished appearance. While the base color is a rich, dark to medium green, the structure is defined by a prominent central vein and distinct secondary veins. This foundational structure provides the canvas for the plant’s diverse pigmentation patterns.
The Kaleidoscope of Cultivars
The most remarkable feature is the extensive variation in leaf coloration and patterning, driven by hundreds of cultivated varieties. This diversity comes from variegation—the appearance of two or more colors in the leaves due to genetic mutations. Silver and white variegation is common, often appearing as broad splashes, stripes, or speckles across the leaf surface.
Cultivars like ‘Silver Queen’ and ‘Silver Bay’ are known for heavy silver-gray markings that can cover a majority of the leaf, leaving only the margins or midribs dark green. Other cultivars, such as ‘Maria,’ feature a marbled or striped pattern of silver interspersed with deep green. The introduction of pink, red, and yellow pigments has expanded the visual spectrum significantly, creating varieties that serve as bright focal points. Red-toned types, often called ‘Red Aglaonema,’ can display cherry-red splotches, pink mottling, or vivid red coloring along the leaf edges and stems. For instance, ‘Siam Aurora’ has leaves rimmed in deep crimson with matching red stems, while ‘Pink Dalmatian’ is characterized by bright pink speckles across the foliage.
Flowers and Fruit
While the Chinese Evergreen is primarily grown for its ornamental leaves, mature plants can produce reproductive structures under favorable conditions. The inflorescence, or flower structure, is typical of the Araceae family and resembles that of a Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum). It consists of a small, club-like spadix, where the tiny, unisexual flowers are located.
The spadix is partially enclosed by a modified leaf called a spathe, which is often pale green or white. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fleshy berries covering a single seed. These fruits appear in clusters and typically ripen to a bright red color, contrasting with the foliage.