Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

Aglaonema commutatum

Image of Aglaonema commutatum

James H. Schutte

Family

Araceae

Botanical Name

Aglaonema commutatum

Plant Common Name

Aglaonema, Chinese Evergreen

General Description

This bushy tropical is a popular houseplant and garden plant for warm shade gardens and container plantings. In its native Philippines and Indonesia it grows thickly to create a lush groundcover under large shade trees. It is a fully evergreen tender perennial with large, lance-shaped to elliptical leaves and lovely silver blotching. The upright plants spread slowly from fleshy rhizomes (underground stems) to form substantial clumps.

This thick, leathery leaves alternately clasp the stem with long, succulent petioles (leaf stems). The leaves are single (simple) and narrowly lance-shaped. Most are beautifully marked with silver, white or gray variegation. Like all members of the family Araceae, they have unusual flowers consisting of a finger-like floral column (spadix) surrounded by a white or pale green petal-like leaf (spathe). The female flowers are usually at the base of the spadix and the male flowers are towards the top. The spathe is often small, leathery and hidden among the foliage. After pollination, the female flowers produce showy fruits of red or orange which look like fleshy berries along the column.

This tropical is very frost tender so protect it from winter chill. Bright indirect light, high humidity and a moist but well-drained soil or potting mix are required for good growth. Water and fertilize regularly and make sure that outdoor plants are shaded from the intense sun of mid-day. Indoors, these are some of the best plants for low-light conditions. Aglaonemas are grown as landscape plants in the tropics and prized as houseplants or tender patio plants in temperate climates. Their fabulous leaves brighten up the darkest office and are long-lasting and beautiful when cut for arrangements.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    12 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Shade, Full Shade

  • Height

    16"-24" / 40.6cm - 61.0cm (20)

  • Width

    20"-24" / 50.8cm - 61.0cm (20)

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Southeastern Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Cushion/Mound-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Green

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green, Silver, Gray

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green, Silver, Gray

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green, Silver, Gray

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Silver, Gray

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    SpottedMottled

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Groundcover, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No