What is Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium)
Burmese evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium) is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, native to certain parts of Southeast Asia. It is typically grown as an indoor houseplant throughout the world.
This is a perennial plant cultivated as an ornamental houseplant, commonly called Burmese Evergreen or Chinese Evergreen. The last name is potentially confusing since several other plants are also referred to as “Chinese evergreens.”
Appearance and Characteristics
Burmese evergreen is a popular houseplant that has shiny, dark green leaves with red veins. The plant thrives in medium to high light and moist but well-drained soil.
It can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide if it is kept indoors or outdoors year-round. If you notice dry or brown patches on the leaves, the plant is not getting enough water.
This house plant will flower while still growing, but the flowers are hidden inside the leaves. They will eventually turn into berries that last for months. The berries are red with black speckles and small in size.
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Quick summary
Botanical Plant name: Aglaonema oblongifolium
Native to: Southeast Asia
Care: Moderate light.
Size: 1-3 feet tall and equally wide
Common problems: Mealybugs, leaf spots, scale insects,
Toxicity: Toxic to pets
How to care for Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium)
You need to take good care of Burmese Evergreen so that it can thrive well. Here’s how to go about it.
Sunlight
Grow in medium light conditions or indirect sunlight, with no direct sunlight. During the spring and summer, keep in a moderately sunny location.
During fall and winter, a slightly less sunny location is best. To adapt to brighter locations, move containers outdoors for early morning sun only.
Watering
This plant needs regular watering for a houseplant. Water whenever the soil feels dry 1-2 inches below the surface of the container. After water thoroughly until it runs through the drainage hole, empty that from that pan or saucer to prevent soggy soil.
Do not let the plant sit in water for an extended period after watering because leaf tips may brown from too much moisture on leaves.
Humidity and temperature
The Burmese Evergreen thrives in somewhat humid conditions and warm temperatures as well. The best thing about it is that it is flexible and can withstand less than ideal conditions.
Fertilizing and soil
You can fertilize Burmese Evergreen using quick-release water-soluble fertilizers. Another excellent option for fertilizing this plant is organic fertilizers like fish emulsion.
If you use water-soluble fertilizers, apply them once every two weeks, depending on the instructions.
Repotting
There are many reasons why you might repot an evergreen plant, including if the soil becomes too compact, the plant becomes pot-bound (meaning it has outgrown its container), or to replace old soil with fresh soil.
Steps:
1. Put newspaper over your working area and under the plant
2. Remove the plant from its pot, making sure to keep as much of the soil intact as possible:
The best way to remove the plant from its pot is to tap all around the edge of the pot with your trowel until the plant is loose enough to pick up.
If the plant does not come out that way, you can also remove it by turning the pot upside down and hitting it against the ground.
Cleaning
Gently wipe leaves with a damp cloth. Cleaning while the plant is in water might damage it. Do not place in direct sunlight. Keep the plant away from heaters.
How and when to prune Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium)
Burmese Evergreen is a popular indoor plant, but it needs to be pruned, or you will soon have a large bushy clump of leaves.
This is because Burmese Evergreen has no leader, so it always grows in a bushy form. Pruning the plant will promote new growth and a more compact shape.
If you have a large clump of Burmese Evergreen, you can either cut it back to a single stem or into a few stems.
There is no trick for cutting back a Burmese Evergreen. Use your pruning shears to cut out some of the oldest stems and thin out crowded clumps of stems.
When you repot your Burmese Evergreen, always cut out some stems and shorten the roots a bit. Over time, the roots can become so intertwined that it is impossible to separate them without ruining the roots.
Problems with Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium)
Mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale insects are three of the most common pests that affect Burmese evergreens.
Mealybugs will grow under leaves, and in leaf axils, whiteflies can infest the entire plant, and scale insects usually prefer the undersides of the leaves. Leaf spots can affect an entire plant or just one leaf, depending on the cause.
Treatment for Mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale can be the same. Use a stiff brush dipped in soapy water to remove mealybugs, scale, and whiteflies from the plant. For large infestations, please remove all of the leaves with the insects on them.
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How to propagate Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium)
Propagation of Aglaonema is easy and a suited a part of an indoor garden.
- The first step is to select healthy plants from which you want to take cuttings; if you go with a cane cutting, you will need a minimum of 5 nodes to have a successful rooting.
- To take cuttings is most easily done with a sharp and clean knife; make the cuttings into the desired length.
- Before you take your cutting, it is good practice to clean the knife.
Another method is to take a cutting from a cane that has been placed in water for about an hour. This leaves a clean wound that will heal quickly.
Prepare a cutting tool for the propagation process, it is good to have rooting hormone available, but if you don’t have any handy, you can use a mixture of salt and water.
Common FAQs
How much light does a Burmese Evergreen need?
Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium) needs moderate sunlight.
What is so special about Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium)?
The Aglaonema Oblongifolium is an herbaceous plant with leaves that have ornamental features. It grows from a rhizome and has a life span of about ten years.
Are Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium) indoor plants?
Yes, Burmese Evergreen is a good houseplant and prefers average indoor temperatures.
Can Burmese Evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium) grow in low light?
Yes. Burmese evergreen (Aglaonema oblongifolium) is a low light plant that can grow in an office or home even with very little light.
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Summary
The Burmese evergreen is easy to care for houseplant. They are known as one of the easiest plants when it comes to watering and light requirements.
We hope you’ve learned a lot about Burmese Evergreen. Have you considered adding this plant to your garden?