Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema 'Red Gold')
Aglaonema 'Red Gold', the Chinese evergreen, offers striking glossy foliage with red/yellow streaks, ideal for low-maintenance indoor gardening.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’, commonly known as the Chinese evergreen, is highly valued for its vibrant and glossy foliage that provides year-round color indoors. This hybrid selection develops captivating patterns of green leaves accented by striking red margins and streaks of yellow, making it a designer favorite for brightening interior spaces. As an herbaceous perennial, the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ is remarkably adaptable, thriving in conditions that many tropical plants find challenging.
This species performs best when provided with bright indirect light, though it tolerates somewhat shady locations. It is classified as a low-maintenance plant, appealing to both novice and experienced gardeners seeking durable, colorful houseplants. Ensure consistent moisture during the growing season to maintain the vibrant look of the foliage on your Chinese evergreen.
Ultimately, the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ offers substantial aesthetic impact with minimal horticultural fuss. Its tropical origins mean it thrives in warmer environments, making it an excellent year-round houseplant outside of USDA Zones 10 and 11. Pay attention to lighting and humidity to ensure peak coloration.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Araceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-3 ft
- Spread: 1-3 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: White spadix with pale pink spathe
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal growth, plant the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ in a rich, peaty potting mixture that is well-drained. While its primary use is as an indoor plant when grown outside of its tropical hardiness range (Zones 10-11), selecting the right location is crucial. Indoors, choose a spot receiving diffused sun or good bright indirect light; an unobstructed north or east-facing window is often ideal. Avoid placing the Chinese evergreen in direct sun, which can scorch the magnificent foliage, giving it a bleached appearance.
Watering should be consistent from spring through fall, ensuring the soil stays moist but never soggy. During the cooler months from early fall to late winter, the plant appreciates a rest period; reduce watering frequency, but take care not to allow the soil to completely dry out. Remember that the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ thrives in warm temperatures and benefits significantly from high ambient humidity.
While this indoor plant tolerates atmospheric dryness better than some tropicals, consistently dry air or placement near cold drafts can cause leaf browning. Maintain indoor temperatures generally above 60°F during the winter months. Ensuring these balanced conditions promotes the best performance and vibrant coloration for your Chinese evergreen.
Landscape Uses
While primarily celebrated as a splendid houseplant for bright to moderately bright interior areas, the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ can serve as stunning seasonal color in protected outdoor containers in cooler climates, or year-round in its native tropical regions. Its dense, upright habit lends itself well to grouping in decorative pots flanking an entryway or clustered on a bright patio.
When used indoors, the bold variegation of the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ allows it to act as a focal point alongside plants that offer contrasting textures, such as ferns or solid green foliage plants like Aspidistra. Indoors, consider placing it where its colorful leaves can be easily viewed, such as on side tables or open shelving away from direct thermal vents.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good for cut flowers
Noteworthy Characteristics
Aglaonema is a genus of of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials from tropical Asia. Genus name comes from the Greek words aglaos meaning bright or clear and nema meaning a thread in reference to the stamens. ‘Red Gold’ is a hybrid selection of Chinese evergreen that features glossy, green foliage with red margins and red and yellow streaks. Mature plants will reach up to 3’ tall with an equal spread. Typical arum-type inflorescences with a pale pink to white spathe surrounding a white spadix are produced seasonally to rarely depending on cultural conditions.
Tolerances
- Tolerates atmospheric dryness
- Tolerates somewhat shady locations
Potential Problems
Keep an eye out for common houseplant pests, including aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, or scale; regular inspection is the best defense against infestations. Rots are a significant concern if the Chinese evergreen is consistently over-watered, leading to root damage and eventual collapse. Furthermore, signs of distress like leaf browning often indicate environmental stress, specifically when plants are grown in very dry air or positioned near cold or hot drafts. Adjust humidity and placement before resorting to chemical interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Chinese evergreen suitable for?
The Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ is winter hardy outdoors in USDA Zones 10 through 11.
How large does Chinese evergreen grow?
Mature specimens of Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ typically reach heights between 1 to 3 feet, with a comparable spread of 1 to 3 feet.
What sun exposure does Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ need?
This plant requires part shade, preferring diffused sun or bright indirect light indoors, and should be shielded from harsh afternoon sun.
When does Chinese evergreen bloom?
The Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ is considered a seasonal bloomer, producing inconspicuous flowers consisting of a white spadix surrounded by a pale pink spathe.
Conclusion
The Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ remains a premier choice for adding accessible, vibrant color to indoor environments due to its beauty and low maintenance needs. This spectacular Chinese evergreen provides sophisticated texture and color contrast perfect for contemporary or traditional settings. Before bringing one home, confirm your environment can provide the bright, indirect light and warm temperatures this tropical beauty requires, particularly avoiding cold drafts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A frequent pitfall when caring for the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ is improper watering. Many indoor gardeners water on a strict schedule, which can easily lead to overwatering, especially during winter rest periods. Always check the soil moisture several inches down before watering again; soggy soil is the fastest route to fatal root rot.
Another common error involves light placement. While this plant is adaptable, placing the Chinese evergreen (or any Aglaonema) too close to a sunny, south-facing window where it receives direct, intense midday light will cause irreversible leaf scorch and fading of the red and yellow pigments. Aim for bright ambient light filtered through another plant or sheer curtain.
Companion Planting Indoors
When designing indoor groupings, select plants that share similar light and humidity requirements with the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ to ensure uniform care. Plants that enjoy bright, indirect light and appreciate consistent moisture make excellent companions. Consider pairing the structural form of the Chinese evergreen with trailing vines like Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or softer, moisture-loving foliage like Calatheas.
Grouping plants together also helps naturally create a microclimate with higher ambient humidity, which benefits the Aglaonema ‘Red Gold’ significantly, discouraging leaf tip burn caused by overly dry air. Ensure that the groupings allow for good air circulation around the base of each plant to minimize fungal issues.
