Aglaonema or Chinese Evergreen is a perennial plant that is most often grown indoors in cooler climates but is happy outdoors in a shady spot in subtropical to tropical climates.
The foliage is usually ovate to lanceolate in shape but due to high levels of hybridisation the colouring can vary dramatically. Generally there is a green base but the flecks, stripes or speckles can be creamy, white, silver and shades of pink and even red.
Due to being rhizomatous, it will spread, making an attractive cover of soft, variegated foliage.
Often seen in shopping malls due to its ability to withstand variations in light from medium to low and they can look after themselves quite well (e.g. infrequent watering).
The plant, once established will last many years.
N.B. the sap is toxic to humans and animals (calcium oxalate crystals) but rarely causes problems in domestic use.