Chinese Evergreen Plant Care
Scindapsus officinalis Schott
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Scindapsus officinalis is a species of flowering plants in the Araceae family. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and Indo-China.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to low light
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Evergreen?
Water Chinese Evergreen every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Chinese Evergreen Native To?
What Is the Chinese Evergreen?
Chinese Evergreen (Scindapsus officinalis) belongs to the Araceae family within the Scindapsus genus. Chinese Evergreen is native to the Indian subcontinent and Indo-China. Chinese Evergreen is also known as Money Plant, Devil's Ivy.
Chinese Evergreen displays a trailing vine growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Chinese Evergreen produces rarely flowers indoors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese Evergreen?
Scindapsus officinalis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Chinese Evergreen Need?
Chinese Evergreen thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Chinese Evergreen in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese Evergreen Prefer?
Scindapsus officinalis grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Chinese Evergreen prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Evergreen?
Well-draining potting mix with perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Evergreen to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chinese Evergreen?
Feed Chinese Evergreen every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Chinese Evergreen?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Chinese Evergreen?
Chinese Evergreen can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to satin pothos plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Evergreen Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Chinese Evergreen?
Chinese Evergreen is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Chinese Evergreen Need?
Chinese Evergreen grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Chinese Evergreen is native to the Indian subcontinent and Indo-China. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Evergreen as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Chinese Evergreen is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Scindapsus genus — compare its care with other Scindapsus species on PlantoScan.
Scindapsus is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Chinese Evergreen copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Scindapsus officinalis Schott, family Araceae (first published in Melet. Bot. : 21 (1832)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Chinese Evergreen is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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