Growing a Jewel of India Plant Indoors
The Jewel of India plant belongs to the Aglaonema family which is actually a new breed. Aglaonema plants are native to southeast Asia and China and are perennials. As an indoor non-flowering plant, the Jewel of India is referred to as a Chinese evergreen that has lustrous mottled emerald green leaves that can grow up to thirty inches tall. The leaves are elongated and form a round shape as a plant that almost resembles a balled up hedgehog. This plant can be potted in any kind of planter that is sturdy enough. The planter itself does not have to be large, although at first glance the plant may appear to need a large pot due to its size.
The Jewel of India likes warm temperatures so it should be placed in a living or dining room where it can receive an adequate amount of heat. The plant can also be placed in a bedroom where the lights are off most of the time. This plant actually prefers a slightly higher room temperature at about 75 degrees, although it has been bred to withstand colder temperatures for temporary periods of time.
If you buy a single cutting of the Jewel of India, the plant will easily fill out through a process called suckering. This means that the plant will start to grow quickly once it takes root. If necessary, the plant can be repotted when it reaches the adult stage. Place your potted Jewel of India in a corner of the room that has low light. The room does not have to have big picture windows for the plants to receive a lot of light. One of the best advantages at growing a plant like the Jewel of India is that it is largely disease resistant, making it easy to grow. No special insecticides or other chemicals are needed to keep the plant in a healthy shape. They can be watered once a week and tolerate temporary droughts. Avoid over watering the plants and keep them partially shaded from direct sunlight. The Jewel of India is a toxic plant so if you have pets, keep them from eating the leaves.
Potting soil should be that intended for indoor plants. Avoid using soil from the backyard for this plant. Use the same kind of soil as that used for orchid plants, which will provide the proper nutrients for the Jewel of India. Enjoy your Jewel of India plant!
Image Credit: Mokkie, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
