Chinese Evergreen Care: Aglaonema Light, Water, Problems
Chinese evergreen care indoors: how much light Aglaonema needs by colour, watering, soil, temperature, propagation and fixing yellow or curling leaves.
On this page
- Chinese evergreen care at a glance
- Popular varieties
- Light
- Watering
- Soil and pots
- Temperature: the main danger
- Humidity
- Feeding
- Propagation
- Repotting
- Common problems
- Chinese evergreen in offices and dim rooms
- Seasonal care
- Buying a healthy plant
- Chinese evergreen vs dieffenbachia
- Chinese evergreen care checklist
- Sources and further reading
Chinese evergreen care is about as easy as houseplants get: give Aglaonema medium to bright indirect light (green types cope with low light; red and pink types need brighter), water when the top half of the soil is dry, keep it warm above about 16°C and away from cold drafts, and feed lightly in spring and summer. Most problems come from cold, soggy soil or a spot that's too dark for a colourful variety.
Aglaonema is native to the warm, shady forest floors of South-East Asia and has been a staple office plant for decades because it handles dim corners, dry air and missed waterings without much complaint. Modern hybrids add pinks, reds and oranges to the classic silver-green. The trade-off is that the more colourful the leaves, the more light the plant needs.
Chinese evergreen care at a glance
| Need | Green types | Red, pink, orange types |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Low to bright indirect | Medium to bright indirect |
| Water | When top half of soil is dry | Same |
| Temperature | 16–27°C; avoid below 13°C | Same; even more cold-sensitive |
| Humidity | Average is fine | Average is fine |
| Soil | Well-draining houseplant mix | Same |
| Feeding | Monthly at half strength, spring–summer | Same |
| Pets | Toxic (ASPCA) | Toxic (ASPCA) |
Popular varieties
| Variety | Leaves | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 'Maria' | Dark green with silver blotches | Low to medium | Very tolerant; office classic |
| 'Silver Bay' | Large silver centres | Low to medium | Vigorous, clumping |
| 'Silver Queen' | Mostly silver | Medium | Brightens dim rooms |
| 'Siam Aurora' / 'Red Siam' | Green with red edges | Medium to bright | Popular red type |
| 'Pink Dalmatian' | Speckled pink | Bright indirect | Colour fades in low light |
| 'Lady Valentine' | Mostly pink | Bright indirect | Needs warmth |
| 'Golden Bay' | Yellow-green centres | Medium | Compact |
| A. commutatum | Green with pale bands | Low to medium | Old-fashioned and tough |
Light
The rule is simple: the more green in the leaf, the less light it needs. Green and silver types do well a few metres from a window and are among our recommended best low-light houseplants. Red and pink hybrids keep their colour best near an east window or a bright north window, or set back from a south or west window. All Aglaonemas dislike strong direct sun, which bleaches and scorches leaves.
If you're unsure about a spot, measure it with the plant light meter converter, or check our very low light plants list for the darkest corners.
Watering
- Check the soil. When the top half of the pot is dry (push a finger or skewer in), water.
- Water thoroughly until it drains.
- Empty the saucer.
That works out at roughly every 7 to 14 days in summer and every two to three weeks in winter. In low light the soil dries more slowly, so stretch the interval. Aglaonema handles a missed watering well; it handles constantly wet soil badly. Use the watering schedule tool for a starting interval.
Soil and pots
A general peat-free houseplant compost with a quarter perlite works well. Chinese evergreens have fairly compact root systems and like being slightly snug in their pots. Use a pot with drainage holes.
Temperature: the main danger
Aglaonema is more sensitive to cold than most common houseplants. Below about 13°C, leaves can develop dark patches, yellow and drop. Keep it away from:
- Single-glazed windows in winter
- Outside doors and drafty hallways
- Air conditioning vents in summer
- Cold car journeys home from the shop (wrap it up)
Humidity
Average household humidity is fine, and this is one of the plants that copes well with dry offices. Very dry air near radiators can brown leaf tips. Grouping plants or a humidifier helps in winter.
Feeding
Feed monthly at half strength from spring to late summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Stop in winter. Aglaonemas grow slowly, so they don't need much, and too much fertiliser shows up as brown leaf tips. The fertilizer dilution calculator measures half strength.
Propagation
Chinese evergreens are easy to divide and root:
- Division: at repotting time, gently separate clumps with their own roots and shoots and pot each one.
- Stem cuttings: cut a stem 10 to 15 cm long with a few leaves, root in water or moist mix. Roots take three to six weeks.
See how to propagate houseplants.
Repotting
Repot every two to three years in spring, going up 2 to 5 cm. A slightly crowded plant is fine. The repotting pot size calculator helps choose.
Common problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow lower leaves, one at a time | Normal ageing | Remove them |
| Several yellow leaves, damp soil | Overwatering | Let half the soil dry; check roots |
| Dark, water-soaked patches | Cold damage | Move somewhere warmer; trim damaged leaves |
| Curling leaves | Thirst, cold or dry air | Water; move from drafts |
| Brown tips | Dry air, salt build-up | Flush soil; raise humidity |
| Pink/red fading to green | Low light | Brighter indirect light |
| Bleached, scorched patches | Direct sun | Move away from the sun |
| Leggy, leaning | Low light | Rotate; more light |
| White fluff in leaf bases | Mealybugs | See houseplant pests |
Chinese evergreen in offices and dim rooms
Aglaonema has earned its place in offices because it copes with conditions many plants hate: fluorescent or LED ceiling light, air conditioning, weekends without attention and irregular watering. A few tips help it thrive rather than just survive:
- Choose a green or silver variety for a desk away from windows.
- Keep it out of the direct blast of air conditioning vents.
- Water before long weekends only if the soil is already half dry; don't "top up" a damp pot.
- Wipe the leaves every month or so. Office dust settles quickly and blocks light.
- Rotate the pot so it doesn't lean toward the nearest light source.
Our guide to plants for an office with no windows compares it with other options.
Seasonal care
Spring: repot crowded plants, divide clumps, and start feeding at half strength once new leaves appear.
Summer: water a little more often; growth is at its fastest. Keep colourful types out of hot direct sun.
Autumn: reduce feeding, and move plants away from windows that will get cold at night.
Winter: water less, stop feeding, and protect from cold glass and drafts. This is when cold damage and overwatering cause most losses.
Buying a healthy plant
Look for a full pot with several stems coming from the soil, firm upright leaves with no dark, soft patches (a sign of cold damage in transit), and no white fluff in the leaf bases. In winter, ask for the plant to be wrapped for the journey home.
Chinese evergreen vs dieffenbachia
The two are often confused. Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) grows taller, with a thicker cane-like stem and larger leaves, and is more toxic if chewed. Aglaonema stays shorter and bushier. Care is similar, though dieffenbachia wants a bit more light.
Chinese evergreen care checklist
- Low to medium light for green types; brighter for red and pink
- Water when top half of soil is dry
- Keep above 16°C, away from drafts
- Feed monthly at half strength in spring and summer
- Wipe leaves occasionally
- Keep away from pets
Sources and further reading
- Royal Horticultural Society: Aglaonema, for light and temperature.
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Aglaonema, for cultivars and cold sensitivity.
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list, for pet safety.
For other forgiving plants, see ZZ plant care and cast iron plant care.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chinese evergreen a low light plant?
Green-leaved types such as 'Maria' and 'Silver Bay' are among the best low-light houseplants and cope with medium to fairly low light. Red, pink and orange varieties need more light, ideally bright indirect, to keep their colour.
How often should I water a Chinese evergreen?
Water when the top half of the soil is dry, often every 7 to 14 days in summer and every two to three weeks in winter. Aglaonema tolerates some drought better than constantly wet soil.
Why are my Chinese evergreen leaves turning yellow?
Older lower leaves yellow naturally over time. Several yellow leaves at once, with damp soil, usually means overwatering. Cold drafts, low temperatures and very low light can also cause yellowing.
Why are my Aglaonema leaves curling?
Curling usually points to underwatering, cold air or very dry air. Check that the soil isn't bone dry and that the plant isn't near a cold window or air conditioning vent.
Is Chinese evergreen toxic to cats?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Chinese evergreen as toxic to cats and dogs because of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which irritate the mouth and stomach.
Do Chinese evergreens flower?
Mature plants sometimes produce a small, pale spathe-and-spadix flower like a tiny peace lily. Many growers cut the flowers off so the plant puts its energy into leaves, but leaving them is harmless.