Splitting a large chinese evergreen indoor plant in Alaska

Question

I have a kind of large 4′ tall 4′ wide Chinese evergreen with six, approximately 1″, stalks in a 16′ pot. My question is, can I split it like I would an iris or would that kill it? I want to turn this plant into 3 plants in three 16″ pots.

Answer 1

Yes, it can be divided. Each individual stalk can become its own plant. Here is more information:
http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/Aglaonema.htm

Answer 2

Coggie, congrats on growing your ag so large - don't often see them that size. And since you were able to do that, you obviously know how to take care of them. You should have no problem dividing your monster.

However, I would like to add my take on ags, kind of in response to the info in that link. As an interior landscaper for 30 years, I've taken care of thousands of ags. In my experience, these plants ARE very easy to grow - with an understanding.

The proof that they are easy to keep is that they are one of the most frequently used foliage plants, in all kinds of light, low to high , and in air conditioned offices around the world, which indicates that the idea they need humidity enhancement is not true.

The understanding about them is that the older varieties are generally the ones that will last the longest times. Growers are always developing new cultivars with new varigations that they can patent. In my experience most of these will only look beautiful a year at most. Perhaps this is where the confusion about their dependability arises.