Chinese evergreen plants also known as Aglaonema, are hugely popular houseplants known for their lush, vibrant foliage and easy care requirements. While they are tolerant plants that can adapt to a range of conditions, providing them with an appropriate potting mix is key to keeping them looking their best. In this complete guide we’ll go over everything you need to know about choosing and preparing the ideal soil for your Chinese evergreen.
Chinese evergreen is a common name that refers to a group of plants in the Aglaonema genus. They are native to humid, tropical parts of Asia and Indonesia but have become staples in homes and offices around the world.
These plants are easily identified by their oval-shaped, dark green leaves with striking white, silver, pink, or red accents. The eye-catching variegated foliage patterns give them an exotic, painted appearance. They range in size from petite tabletop varieties to larger floor plants over 5 feet tall.
In indoor settings, Chinese evergreens thrive. In fact, they prefer shady, low-light environments with high humidity over direct sun. They also tolerate temperatures between 55-85°F, making them ideal for beginners who want an undemanding houseplant. Their resilience and lush good looks make them a go-to choice for beginners and busy folks without green thumbs.
Key Soil Requirements for Healthy Chinese Evergreen Growth
While Chinese evergreens are flexible, choosing a soil that meets their needs is vital for healthy, vigorous growth. Here are some of the most important factors to look for:
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Well-draining: Chinese evergreens are prone to root rot if their soil stays wet for too long. Be sure to use a potting mix that drains readily to prevent soggy, waterlogged roots. Soils containing perlite, vermiculite, coconut coir, or bark help provide air pockets for drainage.
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Moisture-retentive: These tropical plants prefer evenly moist (but not wet) soil. A quality potting mix with peat moss or coco coir will help retain moisture without getting waterlogged. This prevents constant wet-dry cycles that stress the plant.
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Nutrient-rich: While Chinese evergreens don’t need highly fertile soil, they thrive best with a potting mix containing some organic matter. This provides a steady supply of nutrients over time. Compost, worm castings, or slow-release fertilizer are great additions.
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Lightweight and fluffy: Avoid heavy, dense, compacted soil that can suffocate roots and encourage rot. Look for a lightweight, airy mix that allows air circulation around the roots.
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Slightly acidic pH: Chinese evergreens grow best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.1-6.5. Most quality potting soils for houseplants already fall within this ideal range.
Recommended Soil Components
The best potting mixes for Chinese evergreens contain a blend of the following materials:
- Peat or coco coir – Improves moisture retention
- Perlite or vermiculite – Lightens the soil texture and provides drainage
- Compost or worm castings – Supplies nutrients and organic matter
- Bark or charcoal – Improves aeration and moisture control
- Sphagnum moss – Has anti-fungal properties to fight rot
Buying a pre-mixed indoor plant or tropical plant soil takes the guesswork out of getting this blend right. You can also amend regular potting soil with extra perlite and coco coir to create a customized mix.
The Best Store-Bought Potting Mix Options
If mixing your own soil seems daunting, several high-quality potting mixes for Chinese evergreens can be found at most garden centers or ordered online. Here are some of the best ready-made options:
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Espoma Organic Indoor Potting Mix: Contains peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and worm castings. Suitable for all indoor plants.
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Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix: A peat and perlite based mix blended with fertilizer to feed plants up to 6 months.
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FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil: A rich blend including forest humus, loam, peat moss and organic fertilizers. May be too heavy for some plants.
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Superfly Bonsai Ultima Soil Mix: Specialty soil with akadama clay, pumice, lava rock and organic matter ideal for bonsai or tropicals.
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Black Gold Tropical Mix: Made with Canadian sphagnum peat moss and perlite with added fertilizer.
No matter which brand you select, read the label to ensure it contains both peat/coir and perlite/vermiculite. Avoid soils with water-absorbing gels or crystals which can hold excess moisture against the roots.
How to Create Your Own Custom Soil Mix
For the most control over your potting mix, you can easily make your own Chinese evergreen soil using ingredients from your local garden center.
Here are two homemade mix recipes to try:
Recipe #1
- 2 parts peat moss or coco coir
- 1 part perlite or vermiculite
- 1 part compost or worm castings
Recipe #2
- 2 parts peat moss
- 1 part perlite
- 1 part orchid bark or charcoal
- 1 part sphagnum moss
To mix, simply combine all ingredients together in a large bucket or wheelbarrow. Blend thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
Answering Common Questions about Chinese Evergreen Soil
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about choosing the right soil for Chinese evergreens:
What soil pH do Chinese evergreens prefer?
Chinese evergreens grow best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.1-6.5. Adding peat moss to your mix naturally helps create an ideal acidic environment.
How often should I repot my Chinese evergreen?
Repot Chinese evergreens into fresh soil every 2-3 years. This replenishes nutrients and encourages healthy growth. Go up just 1 pot size at a time, as they like being slightly rootbound.
Can I use regular potting soil?
Regular potting soil alone is usually too dense. Amend it by mixing in perlite, vermiculite, peat moss or coconut coir to create better aeration and moisture control.
Should I add fertilizer to the soil?
While not required, incorporating a balanced organic fertilizer or compost provides beneficial nutrients. Use half the recommended amount mixed into the soil.
What are signs my soil is causing problems?
Bad soil can cause droopy, yellowing leaves, poor growth, root rot and pests. Re-pot immediately into a better draining, nutrient-rich mix if you notice these issues.
Caring for Chinese Evergreens Planted in the Right Soil
With the proper soil in place, growing these tropical beauties is easy. Here are some general care tips:
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Water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil become dry. Never let sit in soggy soil.
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Place in a bright, humid spot but avoid direct sun which can scorch leaves.
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Wipe dust off leaves frequently to maximize light exposure.
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Mist frequently or use a pebble tray to boost humidity in dry air.
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Prune off dead or damaged leaves and stems to improve appearance.
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Repot every 2-3 years in fresh soil to replenish nutrients.
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Fertilize monthly in spring and summer using a balanced liquid fertilizer.
By understanding what makes the ideal potting mix and preparing the right soil yourself, you can have the healthiest, most beautiful Chinese evergreens around. Give your plants an advantage by optimizing their soil environment right from the start.
Types of Chinese Evergreen
There are so many forms of Aglaonema and I recommend them all! Here are five that I currently or previously have owned that all look very different.
- Silver Queen – The Silver Queen is one of the most common Chinese Evergreens. It has long and skinny leaves with dark green and silver swirled together. Mine is placed in my bathroom a few few from a west window that is fogged out as its in the shower. It has been thriving and even bloomed last year!
- Red Siam – This is a gorgeous option if you want a plant that gives you rich color year round! The leaves are rimmed in red, speckled in green and yellow, and the stems are pink. It prefers slightly more light than its fully green cousins. As a result, mine sits a few feet from a south window.
- Diamond Bay – This is an option that has very large, long, lance shaped leaves. The center of the leaves are a pale, silver-green color that is a little more than half the width and stretches end to end while the outer edges are a dark green. Mine is sitting a few feet from a northeast window.
- White Joy – This is a newer and more rare varietal with stunning bright creamy white foliage with a deep green leaf halo and sparse speckled green variegation towards the edges. This will need brighter light to maintain its vibrant variegation. Mine is sitting a few feet from an east window.
- Lemon Mint – This is the latest variety I have gotten and I am obsessed. It is one of my favorite leaf colorings I have ever had. Lemon Mint has silver blotches throughout the foliage with striking green and yellow veining.
About the Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) is known for being easy to grow and for its beautifully patterned leaves. This truly is the perfect beginners plant or for those with low light conditions. The leaves are large and lush and bring a low-maintenance, tropical feeling to your interior.
Chinese Evergreens have evolved over the centuries to have many color and pattern variations. They are most well known for having green with silver splashes, stripes, or speckles such as Maria or Diamond Bay Aglaonema. Some have colored stems, veins and leaf edges such as Red Siam or Lemon Mint Aglaonema while others can be almost entirely a new color like white, pink, or red such as in Red Star or White Joy Aglaonema.
Although they can get 3 feet tall, Chinese Evergreens are slow growing and great for desks and shelves. If they do get larger, their rounded forms fill a corner very nicely. Their slow growth means they only need a larger pot every 2-3 years and they actually prefer a tighter pot space. They can also produce blooms if given enough light. They look like dainty Calla Lily blooms and are very subtle.