Watering schedule

How often to water Aglaonema 'Siam Aurora' (Red Chinese Evergreen) (Aglaonema 'Siam Aurora') — the schedule

Also called Red Aglaonema, Red Chinese Evergreen, Siam Aurora, Aglaonema Siam.

More about aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen)

Watering at a glance

Base rhythm	Every 7-10 days; when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
Spring / summer	Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically every 7-10 days.
Autumn	Autumn: growth slows, so stretch the interval and let it dry a little more between waterings.
Winter	Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.
Light	Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window)

About Aglaonema 'Siam Aurora' (Red Chinese Evergreen)

Aglaonema 'Siam Aurora' · also called Red Aglaonema, Red Chinese Evergreen · houseplant

Aglaonema 'Siam Aurora' is a striking red-and-green Chinese evergreen prized as a low-maintenance foliage houseplant. Give it medium, indirect light to keep its pink-red variegation vivid, water when the top inch dries, and keep it warm (18-27C). Note: the ASPCA lists Aglaonema as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach.

Ideal humidity: 50-70%

Watch for — Brown or crispy leaf edges: Usually caused by low humidity, underwatering, or fertiliser/salt buildup. Raise humidity, keep watering consistent, and flush the soil; sensitivity to fluoride and chlorine in tap water can also brown tips, so use filtered or left-out water.

The watering schedule, season by season

Aglaonema 'Siam Aurora' (Red Chinese Evergreen) likes a soak-then-partly-dry rhythm — let the top of the soil dry before watering again, and never leave it standing in water. The base rhythm for aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) is every 7-10 days; when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but the real interval moves with the season, the light and the pot — so treat the figures below as a starting point and always confirm with the plant itself.

Spring & summer (active growth): Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically every 7-10 days.
Autumn (slowing down): Autumn: growth slows, so stretch the interval and let it dry a little more between waterings.
Winter (rest / dormancy): Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.

Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Let the top 1-2 inches dry between waterings and empty any saucer so roots don't sit in water. It tolerates short dry spells better than overwatering, which causes root rot.

Want this turned into a live reminder that adjusts to your home and the weather? The Growli watering calculator takes your pot size, light and season and returns a starting interval for aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) in seconds.

How to tell aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) needs water

A calendar is the worst way to water aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen). Check the plant and the soil instead — for this species, look for these signals in order:

The top 2-3 cm of soil is dry to the touch (or a knuckle-deep finger test comes back dry).
Lifting the pot, it feels distinctly light.
Leaves droop slightly or lose a little of their gloss just before they truly need water.

The most reliable single check is the first one on that list. When two signals agree, water; when they disagree, wait a day and look again — under-watering aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) for a day is almost always safer than over-watering it.

Overwatering vs underwatering aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen)

The two failure modes can look alike at a glance, so check the soil weight and wetness before you decide. For aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) specifically:

Signs you are overwatering

Yellowing lower leaves and a pot that stays wet and heavy for days.
Soft, brown, mushy stems or a sour soil smell — root rot.
Fungus gnats breeding in permanently damp soil.

Signs you are underwatering

Drooping, curling leaves with crispy brown edges that perk up after watering.
The rootball shrinks away from the pot and water runs straight down the sides.
Slow growth and a generally tired, washed-out look.

Watering aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) on a fixed weekly calendar regardless of season is the most common mistake — in dim winter light the same routine drowns it. Check the soil, not the date.

Water quality notes

Tap water is generally fine for aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen). If your water is very hard and you see brown leaf tips, switch to filtered or rainwater.

Seasonal and environmental adjusters

Every figure above shifts with the conditions in your home. For aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen), the levers that matter most are:

More light and warmth speed drying; the brighter the spot, the shorter the real interval.
Pot size and material matter — small terracotta pots dry far faster than large glazed or plastic ones.
Lifting the pot to feel its weight is more reliable than any calendar for judging when to water.

Pot choice is part of this too — work out the right size with the pot size calculator, since a pot that is too big stays wet long enough to rot the roots of aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen).

Aglaonema 'Siam Aurora' (Red Chinese Evergreen) watering — frequently asked questions

How often should I water aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen)?

Water aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) every 7-10 days; when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically every 7-10 days. Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.

How do I know when aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) needs water?

The top 2-3 cm of soil is dry to the touch (or a knuckle-deep finger test comes back dry). Lifting the pot, it feels distinctly light. Leaves droop slightly or lose a little of their gloss just before they truly need water. The single most reliable test for aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) is the first signal on that list — checking the soil or the plant directly always beats watering by the calendar.

What does an overwatered aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) look like?

Yellowing lower leaves and a pot that stays wet and heavy for days. Soft, brown, mushy stems or a sour soil smell — root rot. Fungus gnats breeding in permanently damp soil. Watering aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen) on a fixed weekly calendar regardless of season is the most common mistake — in dim winter light the same routine drowns it. Check the soil, not the date.

What are the signs of an underwatered aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen)?

Drooping, curling leaves with crispy brown edges that perk up after watering. The rootball shrinks away from the pot and water runs straight down the sides. Slow growth and a generally tired, washed-out look.

Can I use tap water on aglaonema 'siam aurora' (red chinese evergreen)?