Chinese Evergreens are one of the most popular house plants in the world. Not only do they have stunning, broad leaves, but they also have incredibly dense foliage.
So, one plant can create a wonderful display of greenery that fills any space. However, that deters some people from buying Chinese Evergreens.
They’re worried the plants will grow too large for the space and become overwhelming. At this point, you may wonder, how big do Chinese Evergreens get?
If that’s your question, we can help you answer it. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the plants.
We’ll also cover what you can do to ensure they grow as much as possible.
How Large Can Chinese Evergreens Grow?
Chinese Evergreens are tropical plants that belong to the Arum family, Araceae. They’re exceptionally resilient and can survive for many years.
Plus, under the right conditions, they can grow quite large.
On average, a fully mature Chinese Evergreen plant can reach anywhere from two to eight feet in height, depending on the variety.
On top of that, the foliage can spread out to around two to three feet outwards.
This makes these florae one of the largest house plants on the market.
Chinese Evergreen Growth Rate
While Chinese Evergreens can be large, they don’t start out that way. At first, the plants are tiny buds that sprout foliage.
It can take months for a single leaf to fully grow.
As you can glean, this means Chinese Evergreens have an incredibly slow growth rate. Typically, it takes a plant anywhere from four to six years to mature.
Yet, the growth speed will depend on the type of Chinese Evergreen you buy.
What Are the Types of Chinese Evergreens?
There are over 50 different varieties of Chinese Evergreens. Each one has a distinct growth rate. In this section, we’ll cover some of the most popular varieties.
1 – Silver Queen
Silver queens are one of the most common varieties of Chinese Evergreens. They have dark green foliage, with greyish-silver stripes on top.
These plants can grow to about eight feet if you give them the space.
2 – Sparkling Sarah
Sparkling Sarahs aren’t your average house plant. They look a lot like Silver queens, but with one major distinction.
The leaves on Sarahs have a bold, pink center. That makes them one of the more exotic types of Chinese Evergreens.
Most of the time, these plants reach around three feet in height.
3 – Silver Bay
Silver Bays are another popular type of Chinese Evergreens. They have silvery foliage with green outlines.
While the leaves are stunning, this variety is one of the shortest types. It can only grow to about two feet tall.
How to Grow Bigger Chinese Evergreens
If you want to ensure your Chinese Evergreens grow as much as possible, you need to provide them with a few necessities.
In this section, we’ll cover the factors that affect the growth rate of these plants.
1 – Water Requirements
Like all plants, Chinese Evergreens can’t survive without moisture. They can go a few weeks without watering.
Yet, any longer and the leaves will begin to wilt and fade away. So, to keep your plant’s growth rate on track, you’ll need to water Chinese Evergreens on a strict schedule.
As a general rule, the florae need around two cups of water once a week. However, this only applies to the warmer months.
When the weather gets colder, you can decrease that to one watering every two weeks.
Finally, make sure you don’t over-water your Chinese Evergreens. This can be just as damaging as not adding enough moisture.
2 – Fertilizing Needs
Plants rely on nutrients from the soil to branch out and make new leaves. So, your fertilization habits can affect the growth rate.
Ideally, Chinese Evergreens need fertilizer about once or twice a year. This will ensure they have all the minerals and nutrients they need to thrive.
Although, be careful not to over-fertilize. Otherwise, you may change the pH of the soil and damage the plants.
You can scour the internet for Chinese Evergreen-specific plant food, but that’s not necessary. Any general all-purpose fertilizer should do the trick.
You can even use mulch or manure if you prefer organic plant food.
3 – Sunlight Requirements
Chinese Evergreens need plenty of sunlight to produce energy. Yet, direct sun rays can damage the plants.
That’s because the leaves are broad and don’t have a protective layer. So, they’ll absorb heat from the sun, which will cause the foliage to dry up and shrivel.
That’s why it’s crucial to keep Chinese Evergreens away from direct sunlight. Thankfully, if you’re growing the plants indoors, this should be a walk in the park.
All you have to do is keep your Chinese Evergreen about four to five feet away from your windows. Other than that, pretty much anything goes.
You can put the plants almost anywhere in your home without worrying about it wilting.
4 – Soil Composition
Luckily, Chinese Evergreens aren’t all that picky when it comes to the type of soil. They can thrive in nearly all growing medium types.
Yet, they prefer well-drained soil, like sandy or silt. If the water content of the growing medium is too high, it may cause root rot.
So, when using loamy or clay soil, be sure to decrease the watering frequency.
Besides that, Chinese Evergreens prefer an acidic environment. So, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the pH of the soil to help your plants grow as tall as possible.
5 – Addressing Health Issues
Like all plants, Chinese Evergreens are susceptible to a few pests. That includes:
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
- Scales
These critters can wreak havoc on your plant and cause it to wilt and fade away. Because of that, you need to address any pest infestations as soon as they happen.
Most people will opt for pesticides, but that’s not the best idea. Since some chemicals can be harmful to plants, using a pesticide may backfire.
Instead, it’s better to rely on pruning and manually removing the little critters.
Final Thoughts
How big do Chinese Evergreens get? On average, these plants can grow to about two to eight feet tall.
Yet, it may take four to six years for the plants to reach this size.
Plus, the exact height of your Chinese Evergreen will depend on its variety. For example, Silver queens can grow to about eight feet, while Silver Bays only reach about two feet tall.
Moving on, to ensure your plants grow as much as possible, you have to maintain them. That includes watering them on a strict schedule and fertilizing them regularly.
Other than that, you should keep an eye on sunlight levels and soil composition.
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.