Large Chinese Evergreen 'Maria'

Description

Meet the Chinese Evergreen Maria, your low-maintenance bestie who thrives on neglect and looks fabulous doing it. Her sword-shaped leaves with elegant silver-green chevrons on rich green backgrounds bring retro-chic vibes to any space while quietly filtering your air.

Latin name Aglaonema maria, this slow-growing stunner from the tropical forests of Asia reaches a manageable 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) tall, making her perfect for desktops, shelves, or as a bushy floor plant when she matures. Unlike that demanding orchid that needed constant attention, Maria actually prefers being ignored between waterings. Her marbled foliage creates visual interest without demanding constant attention - she's basically the introvert's dream plant who looks impressive at parties but doesn't require small talk.

Care 

How to care for Chinese Evergreen Maria

Chinese evergreen care is simple - a lazy gardener's dream manual. Place Maria in bright, indirect light, water when the top two inches (5 cm) of soil feel dry, and she'll reward your minimal effort with steady growth and stunning foliage.

Use a well-draining potting mix, maintain moderate humidity, and keep her away from cold drafts - she's tropical royalty who doesn't appreciate arctic blasts. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with diluted plant food, then let her rest in winter. For a plant that looks this good, she's surprisingly unfussy about her beauty routine.

How often to water a Chinese Evergreen Maria

Water your Chinese Evergreen when the top 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of soil feel dry - weekly in summer, every two weeks in winter. Maria stores water efficiently and would rather be thirsty than drowning, so when in doubt, wait.

Ensure your pot has drainage holes because soggy roots make her unhappy. She's forgiving of occasional forgetfulness but prefers consistent moisture. Think of her watering schedule like you should think of checking your email - regular but not obsessive.

Do Aglaonema like to be misted? 

Aglaonema maria does appreciate regular gentle misting, especially when she’s in dry environments. She'll reward your spa treatments by keeping her leaf tips green and happy - nobody likes crispy tips, least of all your sophisticated Chinese Evergreen.

Is Chinese Evergreen Maria  low maintenance? 

Chinese Evergreen is famously low maintenance - she's the "set it and forget it" of houseplants. She tolerates irregular watering and adapts to various light conditions. Perfect for beginners, busy professionals, and anyone who appreciates plants that thrive with minimal intervention.

How do you care for Chinese Evergreen Maria plants? 

To care for Chinese Evergreen plants, provide bright, indirect light, water when topsoil dries, maintain moderate humidity, and feed monthly during growing season. Remove browned leaves as needed - that's literally it, you're now a Chinese Evergreen expert.

She appreciates occasional misting and protection from temperature extremes but won't punish you for missing a watering. Think of her care routine as "benign neglect with occasional check-ins" rather than helicopter plant parenting.

Can Chinese Evergreens get too much sunshine? 

Chinese Evergreen Maria can definitely get too much direct sunshine - her leaves prefer filtered or indirect light. Direct sun can cause fading and leaf burn. She thrives in the same lighting conditions as her forest floor ancestors, under nature's canopy.

How often should I fertilize a Chinese Evergreen Maria?

You should fertilize Chinese Evergreen Maria monthly during spring and summer with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. She's a light eater who prefers consistent snacks over feast-or-famine feeding. Stop fertilizing completely in fall and winter when she's semi-dormant.

Pet-friendly?

Chinese Evergreen Maria is not pet-friendly. You’ll need to keep her away from curious furry friends if you don’t want to deal with mouth irritation, vomiting, or diarrhea - ick!

Is Chinese evergreen toxic to dogs? 

Chinese evergreen Maria is toxic to dogs and can cause mouth irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drooling if ingested. The sap can also irritate their skin, making this beauty a "look but don't touch" situation for your canine companions.

Keep Maria well out of reach of curious pups. No matter how much your dog investigates, this plant needs to stay off the menu.

Is Chinese Evergreen Maria poisonous to cats? 

Chinese Evergreen Maria is poisonous to cats, causing similar symptoms to dogs including oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. The sap can trigger skin irritation, making this plant off-limits for feline friends. Position Maria where your cat's acrobatics can't reach.

Factoids

Is Chinese evergreen Maria  a good indoor plant? 

Chinese evergreen is one of the best indoor plants available. Aglaonema varieties like Maria tolerate low light, require minimal maintenance, and purify your air while looking effortlessly stylish. NASA even put her on their air-purifying plants list.

What is the lifespan of an Aglaonema Maria plant? 

An Aglaonema plant can easily live a decade or more with proper care - she's in it for the long haul. These slow-growing beauties are the tortoises of the plant world, taking their sweet time to mature while outlasting trendier houseplants.

Some specimens continue thriving for multiple decades, potentially becoming family heirlooms. Chinese Evergreen Maria is committed to this relationship if you meet her basic needs.

Where should I put my Chinese Evergreen Maria? 

You should put your Chinese Evergreen in a draft-free spot with bright, indirect light - think east, south, or west-facing rooms where direct sun won't scorch her leaves. She's flexible enough for offices with fluorescent lighting but prefers more natural conditions.

Avoid spots near cold drafts, heater vents, or air conditioners - she prefers stable temperatures like any reasonable tropical plant. Maria adapts to most indoor environments - so she can spruce up your kitchen, or fill out that awkward corner in your restaurant!

How big do Aglaonema Maria get? 

Aglaonema Maria typically gets to 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) in both height and spread over 5-10 years. She's the perfect size for tabletops and shelves, eventually becoming bushy enough to make a statement without taking over your entire living room.

Unlike those monster plants that require architectural planning, Maria stays a compact, manageable size. She's ideal for apartment dwellers and anyone who appreciates plants that respect personal space boundaries.

What does the name Aglaonema mean?

Aglaonema is Greek, meaning "bright thread," describing the patterns threading through Maria's leaves. Ancient botanists clearly had an eye for detail when they came up with the name - it does look like someone’s been settling down with an embroidery cushion.

Where do Chinese Evergreens come from?

Chinese Evergreens come from the tropical forests of Asia, where they grow in dappled shade beneath towering trees. Maria's ancestors perfected the art of thriving in low-light conditions, which explains why she's so adaptable to indoor lighting.

Can Chinese Evergreen Marias produce flowers?

Chinese Evergreens can produce calla lily-like blooms with enough light, but we really love them for their stunning foliage. Think of flowers as Maria's rare bonus content - nice if they happen, but the leaves are the main attraction.

Does the Chinese Evergreen Maria have any benefits besides being decorative?

Chinese Evergreen Maria is more than a gorgeous addition to your indoor jungle. She actively removes toxins like benzene and formaldehyde from your indoor air. She's simultaneously upgrading your decor and your air quality - talk about a multitasking queen.

Does a Chinese Evergreen purify air? 

A Chinese Evergreen does purify air - these plants even made NASA's prestigious list of air-purifying plants, effectively removing indoor toxins while looking fabulous. So Maria's basically running a 24/7 air filtration service while serving up looks.

Do Chinese Evergreens like coffee grounds? 

Chinese Evergreens don't particularly benefit from coffee grounds. So we suggest using them sparingly if at all - Maria prefers her soil well-draining without becoming overly acidic. You’ll need to find something else to do with your coffee habit.

Buy a Chinese Evergreen ‘Maria’

Welcome the ultimate low-maintenance showstopper into your space. Our Chinese Evergreen Maria brings instant sophistication without the high-maintenance drama of fussier plants. She's perfect for busy professionals, recovering plant enthusiasts, and anyone who wants intentional style with minimal effort.

This air-purifying powerhouse transforms sterile offices and dim corners into lush sanctuaries while asking for practically nothing in return. Whether you're expanding your plant collection or taking your first steps into plant parenthood, Maria's forgiving nature and stunning variegation make her an ideal choice. Add this resilient beauty to your cart today - your future self (and your increasingly jungle-like space) will thank you!