Chinese Evergreen Growing Guide
Aglaonema spp.
Chinese evergreen tolerates lower light than almost any other houseplant, but the colourful cultivars need noticeably more light than the plain green ones to keep their pattern.
Light
Low to bright indirect light; colourful cultivars need more
Soil
Well-drained, peat-based potting mix
Water
Let top 2–3 cm dry between waterings
Hardiness
Houseplant in Canada; Zone 10–11 outdoors
Mature size
30–90 cm depending on cultivar
Toxicity
Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed or eaten
Aglaonema is one of the most forgiving houseplants sold, tolerating the low light of a north-facing office or windowless hallway better than almost anything else on the market. The trade-off is that the more colourful pink- and red-splashed cultivars need meaningfully brighter light than the plain green ones to hold their pattern — sold as a low-light plant, it isn't equally low-light in every colour.
Light & placement
- Plain green cultivars tolerate low light better than almost any common houseplant
- Pink, red, or heavily variegated cultivars need bright, indirect light to keep their colour — in low light they revert toward plain green
- Avoid direct sun, which scorches the leaves
- Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents — Aglaonema is a genuinely tropical plant that dislikes temperature swings
Watering
- Let the top 2–3 cm of soil dry out between waterings
- More tolerant of underwatering than overwatering — soggy soil leads to root rot quickly
- Reduce watering frequency in winter when growth slows
- Use room-temperature water; cold water can shock the roots
Common problems
- Brown, crispy leaf tips: usually fluoride or chlorine sensitivity from tap water, or low humidity — switch to filtered or distilled water
- Yellowing lower leaves with soggy soil: overwatering — let the soil dry out further between waterings
- Curling leaves and cold-looking damage: a cold draft or proximity to an air conditioner or drafty window
- Loss of colour in variegated types: not enough light — move to a brighter spot
- Toxic to cats and dogs (contains calcium oxalate crystals) — keep out of reach of curious pets
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Frequently asked questions
Yes for the plain green cultivars — they're among the most low-light-tolerant houseplants sold. The colourful pink- and red-patterned cultivars need brighter indirect light to hold their colour, so check which type you have before assuming it'll thrive in a dim corner.
More plant guides
- Philodendron
Most philodendron problems come from overwatering, not underwatering — the genus is built to dry out between waterings, and soggy soil is the fastest way to lose one.
- Camellias
Camellia bud drop is almost never disease — it's nearly always a sudden temperature swing or the plant carrying more buds than it can actually open.
- Rubber Plant
A rubber plant dropping leaves is almost always reacting to a change — a move, a cold draft, or a watering swing — not a sign it's dying.
- African Violets
Water touching an African violet's leaves or crown, not the amount of water, is the single most common way people accidentally kill this plant.