Chinese evergreens

Chinese Evergreen Eileen (Aglaonema 'Eileen') is the quiet one in the aglaonema family, and the easiest to place. Broad leaves are washed silver grey through the centre with a fine dark green margin, so it lightens a dim corner without shouting. The clump reaches about 0.7m tall and 0.6m wide, and it grows slowly enough that it stays in proportion for years.

Why you'll love it

• Silver foliage that suits any interior. The muted grey and green sits comfortably with timber, concrete and white walls.
• Built for shade. It performs in genuinely low light, which is where most indoor plants thin out and stretch.
• Slow growing, so it stays put. No annual repotting and no sudden takeover of the shelf it was bought for.
• Very little to do. Water, occasional dusting of the leaves, and a feed in summer is the entire routine.

Where it works best

Indoors. Partial shade or bright indirect light suits it. Keep it out of direct sun through glass, which bleaches the silver centres to a papery beige.

Pots and containers. A 200mm to 250mm pot with drainage holes holds a mature clump. Choose one only slightly larger than the root ball, since a big pot holds too much wet mix.

Balconies and courtyards. In tropical and subtropical gardens it grows outdoors in full shade under cover, where it makes a good understorey filler beside ferns.

Growing Chinese Evergreen Eileen in Australia

Position and climate. Indoors it grows anywhere in the country. Outdoors it is restricted to tropical and subtropical gardens in deep shade, because it is frost tender and marks at the first cold snap. Humidity suits it, dry air conditioning does not.

Soil. A premium indoor potting mix with perlite added for air. Compacted, waterlogged mix is the usual cause of yellow lower leaves.

Water and feed. Let the top few centimetres dry before watering, then drain the pot fully. It slows right down in winter and needs much less water. Feed monthly in the warm months with a diluted liquid indoor fertiliser.

Pruning. Simply remove old leaves at the base as they yellow. If a stem lengthens and leans, cut it back and it will shoot again from lower down.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in tube size, currently supplied on backorder, so allow extra time when ordering. Tube plants are young, with a few well marked leaves, and are best potted straight into a 175mm or 200mm container. Because it grows slowly, expect a year or two before it fills a decorative pot.

Plants are packed upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect a settling in period of two to three weeks in a new position, then a new leaf. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Plants that cope with low light rooms
• Browse low light indoor plants
• See the full indoor plant range
• Keeping indoor plants alive long term

Common questions

Is it toxic to pets?

Yes. The sap holds calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat of cats, dogs and children if a leaf is chewed. Place it high or choose a different plant if pets graze.

How is it different from the red and pink aglaonemas?

Eileen is silver grey and green rather than pink or red, and it handles deeper shade. It is also slower, so it is the better pick for a spot you do not want outgrown.

Why are the lower leaves going yellow?

Usually too much water or a pot that does not drain. Let the mix dry a little between waterings and tip out any water sitting in the outer pot.

Can I grow it outdoors?

Only in tropical and subtropical gardens, in full shade and out of wind. It is frost tender, so anywhere with cold winters it belongs inside.