Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema spp.
Through the year 🗓️
☀️ Summer now
Even moisture; shield the colorful cultivars from hot sun.
🍂 Fall
Ease the watering down with the light.
❄️ Winter
It hates cold: stay above 60 °F and water lightly.
🌱 Spring
Divide or repot as growth slowly wakes.
The details
Light & placement
- Light
- Low to bright indirect; darker-green types take the lowest light, pink/red types want more
- Ideal PPFD
- 80–250 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹
- Grow-light distance
- 20–30 in below LED
Water & feed
- Watering method
- Water when the top 1–2 in are dry; let it drain. Tolerates occasional forgetfulness better than soggy soil.
- Fertilizer
- Balanced feed at ½ strength, every 6 wks in spring–summer.
Home & habit
- Soil
- Rich, well-draining houseplant mix; pH 5.6–6.5
- Humidity
- Average+; happier at 50%+
- Temperature
- 65–80 °F; dislikes below 60 °F & cold drafts
- Mature size
- 1–3 ft
- Repotting
- Every 2–3 yrs; tolerates being snug
- Propagation
- Division at repotting; stem cuttings root readily.
When something looks wrong
- Overwatering signs
- Yellowing leaves, mushy stems, root rot
- Underwatering signs
- Curling, drooping leaves with crispy edges
- Common pests
- Mealybugs, spider mites, scale
Common problems 🩺
The usual suspects when Chinese Evergreen looks unhappy. Most houseplant trouble is watering or light, not disease — see all plant problems if you are not sure which plant is the culprit.
Yellowing leaves
Likely cause
Overwatering or cold — aglaonemas hate wet feet and chills.
What to do
Let the top inch dry between waterings and keep it above 60°F, away from drafts.
Greyish or scorched patches
Likely cause
Too much direct sun.
What to do
Move it to low-to-medium indirect light; it tolerates shade better than glare.
Drooping despite moist soil
Likely cause
Cold damage or root rot from staying too wet.
What to do
Warm it up, ease off watering, and check the roots are firm and white.
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