How to Care for Silver Queen Plants (Also Called Chinese Evergreens)

If you’re a beginning gardener looking for a houseplant to boost your confidence and add color and texture to your home, then you are going to love the Silver Queen Plant. Also called the Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema, this plant boasts gorgeous, textured leaves and isn’t picky about light, humidity, or watering!

Keep reading to learn more about how to care for Silver Queen plants and get ready to look like a houseplant pro!

Sizes and Types of Aglaonema

This plant comes in many varieties, although the three most common are the Silver Queen, Roebellini, and Chinese Evergreen. The differences between these plant varieties are mainly seen in the leaf color, which can range from silver to brilliant green, as well as red speckles in certain varieties. Well-tended Silver Queen Plants and other Aglaonema can range in size, but mature plants can grow up to 4 feet tall. Keep in mind that this plant is slow-growing, so you have time to tend your plant before you need to re-pot it.

Set Up Your Soil for Success

Although this plant isn’t fussy, it does better when rooted in the right soil. Your best bet for happy Aglaonema and Silver Queen Plants is to use an equal mix of potting soil, perlite, and sand. This mixture drains well and will yield greater growing results for fuller, more vibrant plants.

Light Requirements

Each variety of Aglaonema will require slightly different light requirements. Darker-leaved varieties will require less sun, and the lighter the variegation on your plant’s leaves, the more light it will require. Do keep in mind, however, that no aglaonema will do well in full-sun, so set your plant up accordingly, or it will burn.

Watering & Fertilizer

Your plant’s watering needs will change slightly with the temperature outdoors. In the warmer summer months, you’ll want to water every 7-9 days or when the soil feels dry. However, in the winter months your plant will require less water, so you may only need to water every 2-3 weeks. You should fertilize your Silver Queen Plants in the spring with a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer, and reapply later in the summer, if needed.

Temperature and Humidity

Remember that your Aglaonema is a tropical plant, so don’t place it in a cool or drafty area as colder temperatures may kill it. Mist your plant often during the summer to ensure a humid atmosphere around the leaves.

Other Tips and Information

If you need re-pot or transfer your Aglaonema, wait until the weather is warm – generally spring to summer in most zones. You can also divide it at this time, gently pulling the roots of the plant apart, using a clean knife if needed. Transfer each new plant into potting soil and water well. Remember that these plants are considered toxic to pets so take care if your pet seems overly interested in your Silver Queen Plants.

Do you have any Silver Queen Plants in your home? Share your tips and tricks with us in the comments section below.

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Photo by Mark Bosky on Unsplash

Why is My Plant Dying? Tips on Growing Lush, Green Plant Life

Nothing breathes life into a room like lush, green houseplants. If you have a naturally green thumb, then keeping them alive and thriving is no issue. However, not all of us were blessed with a knack for plant life, and we may find ourselves befuddled as to why our plants keep dying.

In reality, there is really no such thing as a black thumb, and with a little education and some common sense anyone can have a home full of beautiful, thriving houseplants.

Keep reading for a few reasons your plants aren’t surviving, as well as other tips for growing lush indoor plant life.

Why Your Plants are Dying

Here are 5 reasons your plants aren’t doing so hot as well as tips on how to save them!

Over or Underwatering

One of the quickest ways to kill a plant is to give it too much or too little water. When you bring your plant home, you have to do the research to understand its watering needs. Plants like succulents, for example will die with overwatering, while plants like ferns should only be left with dry soil briefly before watering.

Fertilizing

Similar to understanding your plant’s watering schedule, you should have a basic understanding of its fertilizer needs. Most potting soil contains the nutrients needed to encourage lush plant life. However, after a few months your plant can deplete the nutrients in the soil and may need a fertilizer to replenish them. Many companies make plant-specific fertilizers, and each product should advise you on fertilizing frequency.

Just the Right Light

Just go back to basic biology, plants need light and water to thrive and complete the cycle of photosynthesis. If you are placing a plant which needs full fun in a shady spot, it won’t do well. Likewise shade-loving plants can wilt and die in a hot and sunny spot. If your plant is not doing so well, make sure you’ve placed it in the right lighting conditions and make needed changes right away.

Pot Problems

If your plant is in the wrong size pot, or the container you’ve planted it in doesn’t have proper drainage, your plant life will start to droop and die. If your plant has grown out of the pot you purchased it in, repot it carefully in a new container with proper drainage using fresh, high-quality potting soil. If your pot is sized correctly, but doesn’t have drainage, repot your plant into a proper container so the root ball never sits in standing water – a sure-fire killer for many plant species.

Bugs and Mites

If you’ve noticed bugs or mites on your plant or in the dirt surrounding it, it’s time to take action. Start by getting a closer look at the pest in question, and once you’ve identified the bug you can take the next steps. Some common indoor bugs are spider mites, aphids, fungus gnats, and russet mites. Each of these pests can require a different treatment, so a local plant expert or an online search can help you take the next steps.

However, one universal way to prevent indoor pests from munching on your plants is to ensure your new plants are pest free. Additionally, once you notice pests, isolate that plant right away so the infestation doesn’t spread.

What are your favorite houseplants? How do you keep them healthy and thriving? Share your favorite plants and best gardening tips with us in the comments section below.

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Photo by Daniel Hjalmarsson on Unsplash