Chinese evergreen (aglaonema) care

Light

Chinese evergreen is one of the rare houseplants that genuinely tolerates low-light corners. Low to medium indirect light. Brightly variegated forms need slightly more light; deep green types tolerate genuinely dim corners. Watch for a few telltale signs that even a low-light plant has been pushed too far: slow or stalled growth, pale or stretched stems, and a soil that stays wet for far longer than it should because the plant simply is not transpiring much.

Watering

Water chinese evergreen when the top 3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days. The actual day count varies with pot size, light level, and the season — the finger test (or, better, lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a calendar. Empty any drainage saucer after watering so the pot is never sitting in water. Keep evenly moist during the growing season. Drop frequency in winter to avoid soggy soil.

Soil and pot

Chinese evergreen grows best in free-draining houseplant mix. Standard potting compost with added perlite. Repot every 2 years. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Chinese evergreen sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 18-27°C (65-80°F). Average humidity is fine; 60%+ encourages larger leaves. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed chinese evergreen sparingly. Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on chinese evergreen in the Growli community. Where a problem matches one of our diagnostic guides, click through for the full step-by-step recovery plan written for chinese evergreen specifically.

• Yellow leaves — Overwatering or natural turnover of old foliage.
• Brown leaf tips — Low humidity or tap-water minerals.
• Slow growth — Light or temperature too low for active growth.
• Faded variegation — Too little light for variegated cultivars; move closer to a window.

Companion plants

Chinese evergreen pairs well with Peace lily, Cast iron plant, and Snake plant. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Divide the clump at repotting, or root tip cuttings in water for 3-4 weeks. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Chinese evergreen is mildly toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Aglaonema as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Chewing causes oral pain, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Chinese evergreen deep-dive guides

Every aspect of chinese evergreen care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Chinese evergreen watering schedule
• Chinese evergreen light requirements
• Best soil mix for chinese evergreen
• Chinese evergreen fertilizing guide
• When to repot chinese evergreen
• How to propagate chinese evergreen
• Chinese evergreen growth rate & size
• Chinese evergreen cold hardiness
• Chinese evergreen temperature & humidity
• Is chinese evergreen toxic to cats & dogs?

Related guides

Chinese evergreen is also known as aglaonema, silver evergreen, and Philippine evergreen.

• Diagnose chinese evergreen symptoms — yellow leaves, drooping, brown spots, and more
• Monstera care — light, water and common problems
• Pothos care — light, water and common problems
• Fiddle leaf fig care — light, water and common problems
• All 200 plant care guides in the Growli library