Light
Chinese Evergreen plants are probably the only indoor plant with large, colorful, variegated leaves that can live in low-light conditions. If placed in medium light, these plants grow more quickly.
Water
Allow the top 25-30% of the soil to dry out before watering. When the soil of a Chinese Evergreen plant is too wet, the stems become mushy and die. When the soil gets too dry or too wet, yellow leaves develop.
Fertilizer
Chinese Evergreen plants need very little plant food. Feed every other month with a balanced plant food diluted to 1/4 the recommended strength.
Temperature
Temperatures below 50°F (10° C) may damage the leaves; keep a Chinese Evergreen plant away from cold winter drafts and air conditioners.
Humidity
Chinese Evergreen plants do well in regular household humidity or higher.
Flowering
Remove Chinese Evergreen flowers as soon as they appear. The flowers are not very attractive and use energy that the plant needs to produce its beautiful leaves.
Pests
Diseases
In high humidity, the large leaves of a Chinese Evergreen plant may develop bacterial diseases such as Leaf Spot.
Soil
Use a well-aerated houseplant potting mix that drains quickly.
Pot Size
Keep a Chinese Evergreen a little root-bound in a small pot so that the soil can dry out quickly.
Pruning
If a Chinese Evergreen plant becomes thin and leggy, prune the stems back to where they start to bend. The plant will branch out all along the length of the remaining stem.
Propagation
Clean Air Plant
NASA lists the Chinese Evergreen plant as one of the top 10 plants to clean the air of harmful chemicals.
Poisonous Plant Info
Chinese Evergreen plants are
poisonous with a #2 toxicity
level because of the calcium oxalate crystals in the plant. Adverse reactions include: skin irritations after contact with the sap, irritation of mouth, lips, throat, and tongue if leaves are eaten.