Chinese Evergreens are some of the best indoor plants you can get. Their stunning colors and fascinating leaf patterns make them one of my favorites.
You might have a piece or two of these beauties on your office table or living room. But have you ever wondered what other benefits the Chinese Evergreen offers apart from their ornamental value?
Well, you’re in the right place.
In today’s article, I’ll talk about the best uses and other benefits of having Chinese Evergreens. Stay tuned, and let’s learn more about this incredible houseplant!
Chinese Evergreen – Quick Facts and Overview
Before adopting houseplants, I always ensure I know everything there is to learn about the plant. Below are some interesting facts about Chinese Evergreens you might find helpful.
Botanical Information
Aglaonema commutatum is the scientific name of the Chinese Evergreen. It comes from the Greek words aglaos, meaning “bright,” and nema, which means “thread.”
Some prevalent names for Chinese Evergreens are Golden Evergreen, Philippine Evergreen, and Poison Dart Plant, alluding to their toxic quality.
Plant Origin
These houseplants are perennial herbs that belong to the Araceae (arum) family of flowering plants. As their name suggests, they’re native to Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines and Celebes.
For centuries, aglaonema plants have been grown as luck-bringing ornamental plants. They became popular in the western parts of the world in 1885 through the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Plant Appearance
The Chinese Evergreen is a tropical plant growing in subtropical forest regions in Asia. They thrive in consistently warmer conditions and humid environments.
There are over 25 species of Chinese Evergreens. However, most of them share a similar appearance, with large, narrow, and glossy oval leaves, short stems, and flowers that bloom during spring and summer.
9 Benefits and Uses of Chinese Evergreen Indoors
Along with the Chinese Evergreens’ stunning looks, they also come with many health and practical benefits. The gorgeous plants benefit your physical and mental health, which was what convinced me to purchase one in the first place.
Here are the best benefits and uses of Aglaonema.
1 – Excellent Air Purifier
There’s a lot of scientific research supporting many houseplants’ capacity for phytoremediation. In simple words, they help purify the air you breathe when placed indoors.
If you’re a curious fellow, you might already know about the NASA study conducted in the 1980s. In a bid to clean the air inside their spacecraft, NASA scientists discovered that houseplants do an excellent job at the task.
The researchers found that some houseplants are highly efficient at reducing airborne volatile organic compounds or VOCs. They clean many air contaminants, including pesticides, metals, explosives, and oils.
Chinese Evergreens were a part of the conducted study, and the results were encouraging. Aglaonema helped remove several harmful gasses, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide.
2 – Allergy-Friendly Qualities
If you have an allergy, getting a houseplant might be the last thing on your mind. After all, why would you invite a plant that can scatter pollen and trigger your allergies?
You’ll be glad to know that not all houseplants do this. Aglaonema, for instance, is an allergy-friendly flora if you give it a chance.
Because of their air-purifying capabilities, Chinese Evergreens can help remove allergens inside your home. They can help clean contaminants that come with everyday products, improving the quality of air you breathe.
So, don’t hesitate to grab a few Aglaonema and put them near your bed to help clean the air while you sleep. Or, place them in your living room to keep your air supply fresh during the day.
Just because you have allergies doesn’t mean you can’t bring plant companions into your living space. You just need to be more picky, that’s all.
3 – Stress Reduction
If you’re suffering from chronic stress, having one or two of these plants near you might help. As it turns out, Aglaonema and similar houseplants have fantastic mental benefits as much as physical ones.
In a study published in the Journal of Psychological Anthropology, experts found that plant presence inside your home or office can make a person more comfortable, natural, and calm.
In this study, the researchers asked the participants to accomplish two tasks. The first task is repotting a houseplant, and the second is to finish a computer-related assignment.
After measuring the participants’ stress response in each task, the researchers concluded that working near flora reduces physical and mental stress.
4 – Increases Productivity
Are you looking for the ideal plant to place on your desk? Why not purchase one or two Chinese Evergreens?
Whether working from home or in a regular office, you’ll immediately find that houseplants like Aglaonema make the best office partners. And science backs this up.
Multiple studies from recent years concluded that plant presence in the workplace considerably increases creativity and productivity.
One commonly cited research is the 1996 study that found an impressive 12% boost in productivity among the participants.
Another study from 2004 found that people perform better at creative tasks when working close to plants. A 2007 research also revealed that employees took fewer sick days under similar conditions.
5 – Therapeutic Effects
If you’re feeling down or depressed lately, consider having Chinese Evergreen as an indoor companion. It’s particularly beneficial to people suffering from signs of mental illnesses.
Experts have been using horticultural therapy for centuries now. As its name suggests, it uses plants and activities involving flora to help people with depression, anxiety, dementia, and other mental conditions.
Therapy experts even prescribe potted plants to people who feel anxious or depressed. And it does help people feel happier and more satisfied with life.
6 – Feng Shui Value
Chinese Evergreens will be an excellent houseplant for people interested in Feng Shui. Chinese and other Asian natives have used the plant for geomancy practices for thousands of years.
Feng Shui practitioners value aglaonema plants for their ability to attract luck, health, and financial prosperity. In Feng Shui beliefs, the Chinese Evergreen represents the wood sign, which helps attract vitality and energy in a space.
According to Feng Shui experts, the Evergreen foliage represents purity and longevity. The soft leaves of the plants also encourage serenity and positive energy.
As Aglaonema plants are primarily green, Feng Shui associates them with qualities related to this color. These qualities include rebirth, renewal, and fresh energy.
7 – Charming Ornaments
In most cases, people pick Chinese Evergreens for their decorative value. I, for one, fell in love with the plants’ unique color patterns that seem to fit anywhere in my home.
If you want to add some greenery to your house, the 25 Aglaonema varieties offer stunning options for both outdoor and indoor spaces.
One of my favorites is the “Sparkling Sarah” Aglaonema. It has broad, bright green leaves that feature pretty splashes of pink and stems with similar colors to match the aesthetic.
8 – Effortless Maintenance
One aspect of caring for Chinese Evergreens I like is the easy maintenance. They’re less fussy than most houseplants, which makes them perfect even for first-time gardeners.
For example, these plants are known to tolerate varying lighting conditions. Aglaonema plants can thrive well outdoors or indoors with indirect sunlight.
Even if you live in a north-facing apartment or near tall buildings, you won’t have to worry about your home’s lighting.
Chinese Evergreens are remarkably resilient even in the hands of neglecting owners. They’re generally happy plants and can survive with minimal care all year round.
9 – Easy to Propagate
Chinese Evergreens are attractive floras, so no one would hold you against collecting more. Thankfully, they’re much faster and easier to propagate than other houseplants.
The only thing to remember when propagating Aglaonema is to make healthy cuttings.
One method I use is cutting stems and soaking them in water. It’s an easy method that won’t take an expert gardener to execute.
Tips to Care For Your Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreens are hardy plants. But they can still wither from too much neglect.
Here are a few tips to care for these fantastic houseplants:
- Keep your potting mix moist but not soggy to avoid root rot.
- Water when the soil became dry two inches deep.
- Place the plant in a spot with bright, indirect light.
- Apply a moderate amount of fertilizer once every month in spring and summer.
Finally, don’t forget to trim brown, yellow, or damaged leaves. Clean the foliage with a damp cloth to keep your prized plant fresh and appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still curious about Chinese Evergreens? Here are some inquiries other people ask that could help you:
Do Chinese Evergreens Purify the Air?
Yes, Chinese Evergreen helps purify the air. Like most houseplants, Aglaonema cleans the air by reducing pollutants, harmful gasses, and volatile organic compounds.
Is Chinese Evergreen A Lucky Plant?
Yes, many consider the Chinese Evergreen or Aglaonema as a lucky plant. In Feng Shui, they’re thought to attract positive energy, health, and financial prosperity.
Final Thoughts
Chinese Evergreens are excellent houseplants that provide many benefits and uses. When cared for correctly, these indoor flora can help boost your mental and physical health—even your productivity and overall life outlook.
So, if you’re looking for reasons to purchase one, I’ve already given you several. Adding these houseplants to your collection is surely worth every penny.
Happy gardening!
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.