Chinese evergreen, Green-for-ten-thousand-years, Lily of China, Aglaonema acutispathum
Family
Araceae (arum family)
Origin
Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and southern China, in tropical swamps and rainforest
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
90 cm
Temperature
18–28°C
Care level
expert
Lighting
Low to medium light (grown out of water)
Care
Warning: Chinese evergreen is a land (or at most bog) plant, not a true aquatic plant. Kept fully underwater it slowly weakens and dies, often over several months, so it is best grown emersed in a paludarium or with only its roots in water. Aglaonema modestum is a popular houseplant from the swamps and rainforests of South-East Asia and southern China. It grows 30–90 cm tall and up to 1.2 m wide, with lance-shaped leaves about 20 cm long on long stalks, and occasionally produces a white spathe followed by reddish fruits. It likes plenty of moisture, but our sources do not record it tolerating submersion. Use it in the land part of a paludarium or grow it with its roots in water and the leaves in air. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are poisonous to people, dogs, cats and horses, and the sap can irritate skin. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglaonemamodestum); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Not covered by our sources for this species. Aglaonema are usually propagated from stem cuttings or by dividing clumps.
Compatibility and tank mates
Do not sell or buy this as a true aquarium plant. It belongs in a paludarium, terrarium or on a windowsill with its roots in water, out of reach of fish.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
About Aquatic-Auctions
Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.