Chinese Evergreen 'Lady Valentine'

The Chinese Evergreen has a reputation as one of the toughest houseplants around, and 'Lady Valentine' proves it doesn't have to be plain to be tough. Its leaves come in a wash of pink, cream, and green, each one patterned slightly differently, giving the whole plant a soft, painterly look.

Aglaonema is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, where it grows in low, filtered light beneath a dense canopy. That heritage makes it one of the most forgiving plants you can bring indoors — it tolerates low light, irregular watering, and the kind of neglect that would set back most other houseplants.

This is a plant for someone who wants color without the fuss of a fussy plant.

Why You'll Love It

'Lady Valentine' holds onto its pink blush even in lower light than most variegated plants can tolerate, which is unusual — most variegated plants need bright light to keep their color, but this one is more forgiving than most. That makes it one of the few colorful options for a spot that doesn't get much direct sun.

Care at a Glance

• Light: Low to medium indirect light. Tolerates low light better than most variegated plants
• Water: When the top inch or two of soil is dry. Fairly forgiving of missed waterings
• Humidity: Tolerates average home humidity, but appreciates more
• Temperature: Prefers 65 to 80 degrees F. Avoid cold drafts
• Growth: Slow to moderate. Fills out steadily with minimal fuss
• Skill level: Beginner-friendly. One of the most forgiving houseplants around
• Pet safety: Toxic if ingested. Keep away from pets and small children

Good to Know

Brown leaf tips usually point to tap water minerals or dry air rather than a serious problem — trim them off and switch to filtered water if it keeps happening. Otherwise, this is a plant you can mostly leave alone.

For more care tips, visit our Plant Care Library.