How often should I water it?

Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil feel dry.

Does it need direct sunlight?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light and can tolerate lower light levels.

Plant guide

Chinese Evergreen.

Aglaonema

Pronounced ag-lay-oh-NEE-ma

Also known as Aglaonema, Chinese evergreens

Chinese evergreens are fantastic, low maintenance plants known for their stunning, patterned foliage. They thrive in indoor environments and tolerate lower light conditions quite well. These plants bring a lush, tropical feel to any room.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright indirect light to medium shade
Indoor light: medium
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 60 to 90 cm
Growth rate: slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, allowing the top inch to dry out between waterings. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Wipe the leaves occasionally to remove dust and keep them healthy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any yellow or damaged leaves at the base.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.6 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant stops growing despite good care.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause burning and swelling of the mouth and throat upon ingestion.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as ingestion of leaves or stems causes painful mouth irritation.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause significant irritation.

How to identify it

Oval shaped leaves with variegation
Short, thick, upright stems
Leaves often feature silver or pink
Slow growing, clumping habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, silver, white, pink, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 5 to 10cm

Common problems

Root rot — Caused by overwatering or poor drainage leading to mushy roots.
Mealybugs — Small white cottony insects that suck sap from the foliage.
Leaf spot — Fungal or bacterial infections causing dark spots on the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation: division, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents. Reduce watering slightly as growth slows down during the winter months.
In containers: They grow very well in containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and is at least 6 to 8 inches wide.

Stem cuttings

Cut a healthy stem with at least two leaves.
Place the cutting in a jar of water or moist potting mix.
Keep in bright indirect light until roots form.

Group plants with similar water needs to make maintenance easier.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar light and humidity requirements.
Pothos — Both plants thrive in indoor environments with indirect light.

Keep away from

Succulents — Succulents require much more light and less water than Aglaonema.

Similar species

Dieffenbachia — They share a similar growth habit and toxicity profile.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Aglaonema
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and New Guinea.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It grows in the shaded understory of tropical rainforests where it relies on filtered light and high humidity.

Uses: Indoor ornamental, Air purifying plant, Office greenery

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil feel dry.
Does it need direct sunlight?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light and can tolerate lower light levels.

Where the name comes from

The name Aglaonema is derived from the Greek words aglaos, meaning bright, and nema, meaning thread, referring to the stamens. It is commonly known as the Chinese evergreen because it has been cultivated in Asia for centuries.

Good to know

They are native to the tropical forests of Asia.
The name comes from Greek words meaning bright and thread.
They are very slow growing plants.
They tolerate low light better than most variegated houseplants.

Is your chinese evergreen looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.