How to Care For and Grow Your Silver Evergreen
Silver Evergreen
AKA the Chinese Evergreen
AKA Silver Bay Aglaonema
An eye catching indoor plant, the Silver Evergreen is a colorful, low-maintenance accent to any space with bright green leaves covered in stunning silver marbling. Read on for simple tips on how to care for the Silver Evergreen, also known as the Chinese Evergreen or Silver Bay Aglaonema.
Light
Tolerant of low or medium light(minimum of four hours of indirect sunlight a day)
Brighter light allows the plant to maintain its variegated patterns.
Avoid direct sunlight that may burn your plant’s leaves
Water
Water about once a week to keep soil evenly moist but never soggy
Water around the base and keep away from the center to avoid root rot. A watering can with a long spout will help you water precisely.
Allow soil to dry out between waterings
Growth
The Silver Evergreen is a slow grower but can reach up to four feet in height
Fertilize your Silver Evergreen 1-2 times per month in the spring and summer with indoor plant food, or foliar feed year round.
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Common problems with the Silver Evergreen
Brown or yellow leaves - underwatering or overwatering
Symptom - yellow leaves that wilt or dry out
Cause - usually underwatering, or not enough humidity. However, if you water this plant excessively (allowing it to become soggy or waterlogged), this could also be the cause. Yellowing leaves may also signify being cold or in need of fertilizer.
Remedy - If underwatered, remove your Silver Evergreen from its decorative pot and give a good shower in the sink. Regularly mist to increase moisture levels. If overwatered, aerate the soil, or simply hold off until the plant dries out a bit until the next watering. If it is very damaged, you may need to repot.
Thin and leggy stems - not enough light
Symptom - long, thin stems
Cause - not enough sunlight. Silver Evergreens are tolerant of low-light conditions but if they are positioned too far away from their light source they’ll stretch themselves thin trying to get closer.
Remedy - Make sure your plant is getting at least 4 hours of indirect sunlight a day or try using a grow light.
How to maintain a beautiful and healthy Silver Evergreen
Take care of your Silver Evergreen and it will take care of you! Below are simple tips to continue caring for and growing your Silver Evergreen over time.
Pruning - remove old, unattractive or damaged leaves from the base of the plant with a clean blade, ideally during the dormant period.
Trimming - if there is just a small portion of a leaf that was damaged such as the edges or tips, trim off any discoloration or blemishes by following the natural lines and shape of the leaf.
Cleaning - regularly mist the Silver Evergreen to keep it clean. If it is very dusty, you may want to use a damp cloth to wipe the leaves clean.
How to grow and repot the Silver Evergreen
Growing - Silver Evergreens are slow growers and will grow even slower in low light conditions. During spring or summer, use a diluted fertilizer every two weeks to give your plant a vitamin boost.
Repotting - Léon & George Silver Evergreens come in 6” or 10” grow pots and only need to be repotted every few years and only if the plant is unhappy (i.e. has been overwatered) or to refresh the soil and give it new nutrients. If you’d like your plant to grow larger, find a new grow pot that is 2” larger than its current pot. If you’re happy with the current size, you can reuse the same pot and simply change the soil.
Getting your hands dirty with or without a yard - spread out newspaper on the floor, remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. At the bottom of the grow pot, and a layer of soil, then place the plant in the center of the pot and cover with new soil. Pat down firmly and water thoroughly. Place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home.
How to propagate the Silver Evergreen
Silver Evergreens are relatively straightforward to propagate because they create small plants off of the mother plant as they grow. Wait to propagate during the growing months when your plant has the energy to recover. To get started lay down some newspaper to contain any messes and then all you need to do is:
Locate an established plant, it will be on the perimeter of the mother plant in the center.
Tease the small plants roots away from the roots of the main plant.
Place your separated plant in a small pot filled with quality potting soil.
Give your new plant a generous watering after planting it and keep it moist for the next couple of weeks before resuming a normal watering schedule.
Shop Silver Evergreen at leonandgeorge.com
SILVER EVERGREEN
A lush and colorful plant featuring large silver-green leaves, this plant is happy in areas with little to no light or ventilation. It is listed as one of NASA’s top ten air purifying houseplants. Also known as the Chinese Evergreen, this plant is considered to bring good luck.