How often should I water my Aglaonema?

Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Can it grow in low light?

Yes, it is one of the best plants for low light environments.

Plant guide

Chinese Evergreen.

Aglaonema

Pronounced ag-lay-oh-NEE-ma

Also known as Aglaonema, Chinese evergreens

Chinese evergreens are popular houseplants known for their striking, patterned foliage. They thrive in indoor environments and tolerate lower light conditions quite well. These plants bring a lush, tropical feel to any room with minimal fuss.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical foliage plant
Light: Bright indirect light is best, though they tolerate lower light.
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 60 to 90 cm
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep your plant in medium, indirect light to maintain its beautiful leaf patterns. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet.

Watering: Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any yellow or damaged leaves at the base to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound or the soil breaks down.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.6 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
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.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation to the mouth, throat, and stomach.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing irritation and swelling.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children because the leaves and stems are toxic if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or rashes in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Variegated lance shaped leaves
Sturdy upright stems
Patterns of silver, cream, or red
Glossy leaf texture

Height: 0.3 to 1.2m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, silver, white, pink, red, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: red, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf DropUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heaters. Reduce watering slightly as growth slows during the cooler months.
In containers: It grows exceptionally well in containers and prefers a pot that is not too large for its root system.

Division

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot.
2. Separate the root clump into smaller sections.
3. Repot each section into fresh, well draining soil.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a healthy stem with a few leaves.
2. Place the cutting in a jar of water.
3. Wait for roots to develop before planting in soil.

Group plants with similar water needs together to maintain a consistent microclimate.

Grows well with

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

Similar species

Dieffenbachia — Shares a similar growth habit and leaf structure.
Philodendron — Also a popular, low maintenance foliage plant for indoors.

Science

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

It grows on the shaded forest floor where it relies on filtered light and consistent moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: indoor ornamental, office plant, air purification

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9
Salinity: 1/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water my Aglaonema?: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Can it grow in low light?: Yes, it is one of the best plants for low light environments.

Where the name comes from

The name comes from the Greek words aglaos, meaning bright, and nema, meaning thread, referring to the stamens. It is commonly called Chinese evergreen because of its long history of cultivation in China.

Good to know

It is considered a lucky plant in many Asian cultures.
The leaves often feature intricate patterns that look painted.
It is one of the most durable houseplants available.

Also in

Keep your chinese evergreen growing

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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.