Chinese evergreen Aglaonema commutatum
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Araceae family, native to The Philippines and Sulawesi. It grows 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 13 °C (55 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Chinese evergreen at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Araceae |
| Mature height | 30–90 cm (12–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 1 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 13 °C (55 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | The Philippines and Sulawesi |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Chinese evergreen toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, sap
Contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals: chewing it causes burning, swelling and drooling in people, cats and dogs; the sap can irritate skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chinese evergreen
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
Questions about Chinese evergreen
- How far apart should I plant Chinese evergreen?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Chinese evergreen need full sun?
- Shade: at least 1 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chinese evergreen need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Chinese evergreen?
- It tolerates about 13 °C (55 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- Is Chinese evergreen poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals: chewing it causes burning, swelling and drooling in people, cats and dogs; the sap can irritate skin.
- What grows well with Chinese evergreen?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chinese evergreen. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- Clumps of lance-shaped leaves banded with silver, cream or (in Thai hybrids) pink and red. One of the most shade-tolerant houseplants; in Thailand and China some forms are grown as lucky plants.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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