Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

By Tom Knight

About the Aglaonema

The Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema, is one of the easiest houseplants to live with. It will tolerate lower light than many indoor plants, doesn't need constant attention and comes in a huge range of leaf colours and patterns.

They're a great choice if you're new to houseplants, but they're not just beginner plants. A well-grown Aglaonema can look seriously good in a living room, office or any spot that needs a bit of greenery without demanding lots in return.

They grow slowly, stay fairly compact and can take years to outgrow their pots. So once you've found a warm position and got the watering roughly right, ongoing care is minimal.

Although they're tropical plants, the Chinese Evergreen plant makes for a superb easy care houseplant.

They're hardy, easy-going and adaptable to a range of indoor growing conditions. Once settled in, they're some of the least fussy houseplants you can own.

How do you pronounce Aglaonema correctly? Say:
Ag-low-NEE-muh

They're native to tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, so they appreciate a warm spot and a bit of humidity. In the average home, though, neither is normally a major issue.

Chinese Evergreens used to be very common, but they fell out of favour for a while. I'm guessing that was partly because only a handful of varieties were widely available, and people eventually found them a bit boring.

Over the last decade or so, growers have introduced far more interesting Aglaonema cultivars. Many are now easy to find in shops, which usually keeps prices fairly reasonable too.

The common name for Aglaonema is "Chinese Evergreen". A few decades ago they used to be some of the most popular houseplants on the market.

There are now loads of Chinese Evergreen varieties to choose from. I've included some of the more common and popular ones towards the bottom of this article.

Aglaonema Care Guide

Light

Chinese Evergreens are often sold as low-light plants, and they can cope with lower light better than many houseplants. But low light doesn't mean no light, and they won't grow or look their best in a gloomy corner forever.

For the best results, give your Aglaonema medium or bright indirect light. A little distance back from a bright window is ideal. Direct sunshine, especially strong summer sun, can scorch the leaves and leave dry brown patches behind.

A windowless room isn't suitable unless the plant has proper artificial light, such as a grow light. Normal office lighting can keep them going for a while, but don't expect much new growth in very dim conditions.

Watering

Aglaonema doesn't want to be bone dry for long periods, but it's much more commonly damaged by constantly wet compost. Let the top inch or two of the potting mix dry out, then water thoroughly and allow the excess to drain away.

Don't follow a strict watering schedule if you can help it. How quickly the soil dries depends on the light level, temperature, pot size and time of year. In winter, or in a lower-light spot, your Chinese Evergreen might only need water every couple of weeks. In a warm, brighter room, it may need it more often.

The aim is lightly moist soil around the roots, not a pot that is wet all the time. A container with drainage holes makes this much easier and reduces the chance of root rot.

If something has gone wrong, the leaves will often tell you what it is.

Humidity

Although they're tough, Chinese Evergreens are tropical plants and would prefer higher humidity if given the choice.

They usually cope well with average household humidity, though. Very dry air can slow growth and sometimes cause brown leaf tips, so keep them away from radiators, heat vents and other regular sources of hot, dry air.

Feeding

Growing and active plants will enjoy a feed every few weeks using a normal houseplant fertilizer.

They'll still do perfectly well with less frequent feeding. There is also no need to feed in Winter.

Temperature

True to its tropical origins, Aglaonema plants love it warm. In fact, they crave it. Avoid cold rooms and cold drafts at all cost, they want to be snug and cosy all year round.

The warmer they are, the better they grow. Keep them in your living spaces and away from unheated guest rooms or cool porches. Aim for temperatures 18°C (64°F) and above.

The warmer they are, the better they grow.

Repotting and Soil

Most Aglaonema plants grow slowly and stay compact for quite a long time. It can be several years before they genuinely outgrow their pot.

When the plant becomes very congested, roots are filling the pot, or growth has slowed despite decent care, it's probably time to move it into a slightly larger container.

Use a free-draining potting mix suitable for houseplants. A standard houseplant compost will usually be absolutely fine, especially if the pot has drainage holes.

Propagation

Chinese Evergreens look beautiful, and certain varieties are bound to catch the eye of visitors and attract positive comments. You might even be asked for a cutting as a present. The good news is that they're quite easy to propagate if you're feeling generous.

There are two main ways of creating new plants. Division and cuttings.

Division.

Each mature plant usually has a cluster of offsets that give it the "bulk" of the overall plant. If you're happy to split and break everything down, division is the way to go.

Remove the plant from its container and wash off or remove the soil so you expose the roots and can easily identify all parts of the clump. It's then a case of separating everything.

You can propagate Aglaonema by division. In this photo you can see three potential new plants.

You can often divide the clump using just your hands, and I'd recommend trying it this way first. Tools can be a bit harsh and too precise. Using your hands creates more natural splits, which gives each section a better chance of coming away with some roots attached.

After separating everything, plant each section into its own pot. Use a similar potting mix to what it was growing in before and keep the conditions much the same. The new plants should be well established within a few months.

Once roots have formed in the water, you can move the cutting into a pot filled with houseplant compost and grow it on as usual. You can also skip the water-rooting stage and place the cutting directly into potting mix if you prefer.

Here is a super helpful YouTube video covering both propagation types described above.

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This helpful video will show you how to create more Aglaonema plants for free

Speed of Growth

Chinese Evergreens are generally slow-growing houseplants. Warm temperatures and brighter indirect light will encourage more regular growth, while cooler rooms and lower light levels will slow everything right down. I've shared more tips for encouraging faster houseplant growth here.

Plants kept in very low light may survive, but they're unlikely to produce much new growth.

Height and Spread

This varies quite a bit between varieties, but most Chinese Evergreens stay moderately compact houseplants. They will get bigger over time, but they're unlikely to take over a room, even after several years.

Do Chinese Evergreens Flower?

Yes, Chinese Evergreens can flower indoors. It's not unusual, especially on an established plant that is growing in a warm spot with reasonable light.

The flower has a central spike, called a spadix, wrapped by a pale green or creamy-white hood known as a spathe. It has a similar shape to a Peace Lily flower, although it's much less showy. If you've spotted one appearing from the centre of your Aglaonema, there's no need to worry. It's a normal part of the plant's life cycle.

You're most likely to see flowers in summer, but indoor plants can produce them at other times of year too. You can leave the flower in place and enjoy it, or cut the stalk off once it starts to fade if you'd rather the plant put its energy into new leaves instead.

Chinese Evergreen flowers have a central spadix surrounded by a pale spathe, as shown in this photo by HQ.

Are Chinese Evergreens Safe Around Pets?

No. Aglaonema plants should be kept away from cats, dogs and other pets that are likely to chew houseplants.

All parts contain microscopic needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals. If chewed or eaten, these can cause immediate irritation, drooling, a painful mouth and swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. It's unpleasant for both pets and people, so it's best not to take chances.

Some Chinese Evergreens can produce berries after flowering. Leaves don't always attract much attention, but berries can be more tempting to children and animals. I would suggest removing the flower stalk once it starts fading if berries might become an issue in your home.

If a pet has eaten part of the plant and seems unwell, contact your vet for advice.

Anything else?

Dust can be a problem for these houseplants, especially on older plants that have just been left to do their thing.

Their slow-growing nature means it's easy for dirt to accumulate and cover the leaf surface. Make sure you wash them down from time to time to keep things clean and the foliage vibrant.

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Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreens) Problems

Why Are My Chinese Evergreen Leaves Turning Yellow?

An occasional older leaf turning yellow is normal. But if several leaves are yellowing at once, or it keeps happening, your Aglaonema is probably reacting to a care issue.

Yellowing Chinese Evergreen Leaves

Several yellow leaves at once are usually caused by one of the following:

Why Does My Chinese Evergreen Have Brown Tips?

Brown leaf tips are usually caused by dry air, hot air blowing directly over the plant or inconsistent watering. A Chinese Evergreen sitting above a radiator, near a heat vent or beside another regular source of dry heat is much more likely to develop them.

Hard tap water can also contribute over time in some homes, as minerals gradually build up in the potting mix. I've not found this to be a common problem with my own plants, but some varieties may be more sensitive than others.

Why Does My Chinese Evergreen Have Brown Spots?

Dry, crispy brown patches are most often sun scorch. Chinese Evergreens don't enjoy strong direct sunlight, and even a few hours of hot sun on the leaves can leave permanent scorch marks.

Move the plant slightly further back from the window or filter the light with a sheer curtain. Damaged leaves won't turn green again, but new growth should be fine once the plant is out of harsh sun.

This Chinese Evergreen has brown spots caused by sun damage

Pests

This is a hardy houseplant with a positive can-do attitude. It puts up with a lot and tends to resist pests fairly well, but it's not completely immune.

Spider mites, Scale Insects, Mealybugs and Aphids can all appear from time to time. Look out for sticky residue on the leaves, webbing, small cottony clusters or yellowing leaves if an infestation is becoming established.

In my experience, pest problems are fairly rare on Aglaonemas. But if you do spot something, have a read of my houseplant pest guide for help.

Why Is My Chinese Evergreen Drooping or Standing Upright?

Changes in leaf position are usually your plant's way of telling you something is off. Luckily, Aglaonemas are fairly good at giving clues once you check the soil as well.

Drooping or Wilting Leaves.

This will usually happen when your Chinese Evergreen plant has been overwatered. Don't make the mistake of thinking it's been underwatered and pour more on.

If you see this happening have a feel of the soil to check. If the potting mix is wet then hold back on the watering for a week or two until it dries out again. If the soil is dry then the wilting has been caused by underwatering.

If you struggle with watering plants in general then make sure you use a container or pot that has a drainage hole (or two) as this will let excess water escape and reduce the possibility of root rot setting in.

Leaves and Stems Standing Upright.

This will happen to some varieties when your plant has been underwatered. It's quite a sight to see, but if you see it then give it some water as soon as you can. Going forward try and keep the soil moist instead of letting it dry out completely.

Our story with Aglaonema

On the surface, Aglaonema should have been the ideal houseplant for me. I've often lived in homes with a strong north-facing aspect and the lower light levels that come with it.

In the early days of owning houseplants, I also made my fair share of silly mistakes, so I could have done with a few more hardy plants. But Aglaonema just never did it for me. I shunned it. Massively.

In some ways, it seemed like a smaller Aspidistra substitute, without any of the grandeur or history. Aglaonema Silver Queen was the main culprit. Where I lived, it seemed to turn up constantly in places most people don't want to spend much time in: dentist waiting rooms and hospitals.

So the last thing I wanted was one of these anxiety-inducing, bad-memory houseplants rocking out in my living room!

Aglaonema in a living room next to an Aspidistra plant.

Times change though and so did the Aglaonema. I'm now sharing my home with several different varieties that really thrive with minimal effort.

One is actually positioned next to a splendid Aspidistra, and they really don't look the same at all. I don't know what I was thinking, cousins at best!

Aglaonema Varieties

There are well over a hundred Chinese Evergreen varieties and cultivars, so I can't cover every one here. But the types below are some of the more familiar ones and give a good idea of the range on offer.

If you want the best choice for a lower-light spot, look for darker green varieties such as Maria. For a larger statement plant, Silver Bay or Diamond Bay are good options. If you're after stronger colour, the red and pink Aglaonemas tend to be the showiest, but they'll need brighter indirect light to keep those colours looking their best.

If you like the pattern but would prefer a more compact plant, take a look at Aglaonema Maria.

A. commutatum 'Silver Queen' - photo by Mark Bosky

Aglaonema Maria

Aglaonema Maria has wider, shorter leaves than many of the other varieties on offer. It also has a lower, more compact shape, so it can be easy to overlook at first. The glossy dark green leaves are marked with silvery blotches that help it stand out.

The darker leaves mean Maria usually copes better than the more colourful varieties in lower-light spaces. Its compact size also makes it a great choice for awkward spots that need something green.

Chinese Evergreen Aglaonema Maria.

Aglaonema Diamond Bay / Silver Bay

Diamond Bay and Silver Bay are among the larger-growing Aglaonema varieties, with long, broad leaves and a sharp-looking overall shape.

Choose one if you want a standout plant that draws the eye. They work well beneath a taller plant with an exposed trunk, such as a Yucca or Dragon Tree, but look equally good on their own.

The leaves have light green edges and a large creamy-white centre stripe, with an irregular border where the colours meet. They need more light than darker green types, so keep them out of gloomy corners to help them perform at their best.

A. modestum 'Diamond Bay'

Aglaonema Key Lime

As the name suggests, the vivid Aglaonema Key Lime has colouring that resembles a key lime. Several shades of green and yellow run in narrow bands across the leaves, which are held above contrasting creamy stems.

In my experience, they're a little harder to find and often slightly more expensive than other varieties. But they're very striking and can grow to a good size, making them a brilliant statement houseplant.

They're probably best grown as a standalone plant, where they can really show themselves off.

Aglaonema 'Key Lime'

Red Aglaonema

The bulk of Chinese Evergreens play around and mix things up with different shades of green. But the Red Aglaonema bring in splashes of red and pink making them very unusual and pretty. Indirect sunlight will make the colors pop. They can also cope with slightly higher light intensities.

Three of the more popular ones are Red Ruby which has dark green leaf edges with splashes of solid pink in the center (see photo below). Siam Aurora which has pinky-red leaf edges that carry on into the stems, almost like rhubarb. (see a quick 10 second video tour of this variety - it's stunning!).

Light Star is also very similar to Siam Aurora, but has a little less color. Finally, Aglaonema Crete is more subtle than the previous two, it has thin pink leaf edges and young rhubarb colored pink stems.

Aglaonema Chinese Evergreen Red Ruby - photo by David Clode

There are so many different Chinese Evergreen varieties that I can't cover them all here. But I know visitors enjoy seeing what's available, so if you'd like to share a photo of yours, please post it in the comments below.

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Also on Ourhouseplants.com

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(Article / Gallery) Photo credit A. commutatum 'Silver Queen' - Mark Bosky
(Article / Gallery) Photo credit of Red Aglaonema 'Red Ruby' - David Clode
(Article / Gallery) Photo credit of the flowering Aglaonema - HQ

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