Gardening Houseplants Types of Houseplants

How to Grow & Care for Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) Indoors

This attractive, easy-care houseplant can bring colorful variety to your space

Chinese evergreen is a tropical, evergreen perennial available in a number of cultivars that make excellent houseplants. Its large, glossy, lance-shaped to oval leaves come in different color combinations from shades of green, silver, and white to red, purple, and cream. Indoor plants rarely produce flowers.

The genus name originates from the Greek words aglaos meaning "bright" and nema for "thread," which refers to the stamens. In the Chinese practice of feng shui, anglaonema is thought to bring luck, prosperity, and success.

an aglaonema plant by the window

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Chinese evergreens are slow-growing and make popular, indoor foliage plants that can be potted and cared for year-round. The plant is toxic to dogs and cats.

Common Name Chinese evergreen, Philippine evergreen, Poison Dart Plant
Botanical Name Aglaonema commutatum
Family Araceae
Plant Type Herbaceous, perennial
Mature Size 1–3 ft. tall, 1–3 ft. wide
Sun Exposure Partial, full
Soil Type Well-drained
Soil pH Acidic
Bloom Time Spring, summer
Flower Color White
Hardiness Zones 10–12 (USDA)
Native Area Asia
Toxicity Toxic to dogs and cats

Chinese Evergreen Care

If you're looking for a beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplant, Chinese evergreen may be the way to go. Beloved for its (nearly) hands-free care, the plant is simple to nurture.

  • Plant Chinese evergreen in well draining potting mix of soil and perlite or moss.
  • Place Chinese evergreen in a location with indirect light and high humidity. A bathroom with a window is great.
  • Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
  • Feed with a general all-purpose houseplant fertilizer from twice a year to as often as every six weeks.
  • Place plants outdoors during warm summer months, if desired, in climates that exceed 55°F.
agloanema receiving light by the window
Leticia Almeida / The Spruce
a closeup of aglaonema leaves
Leticia Almeida / The Spruce
shoots which can be used in propagation
Leticia Almeida / The Spruce 

Light

Darker green varieties of Chinese evergreens can grow in near-shade, while variegated varieties require a bit more bright light. The lighter the variegation on the leaves, the more indirect sunlight it will need. Take care not to expose any variety to direct sunlight, as harsh rays easily burn the delicate leaves.

Soil

Typically, a well-drained, slightly acidic potting soil is perfect for Chinese evergreen. If soil retains too much water, try mixing in sand or perlite to boost drainage. Houseplant potting soil mixed with compost, perlite or peat moss makes a good combination.

Water

Chinese evergreen does not tolerate soggy soil and prefers to be on the dry side. Irrigate every five to 10 days during the growing season or when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Frequency can be tapered off during winter months. Do not let your plant dry out completely.

Temperature and Humidity

These plants do not like cold drafts and don't tolerate temperatures below 55°F. Ideal temperature range falls between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid areas close to vents, windows and doors where temperature may fluctuate.

Chinese evergreen requires a consistently high humidity level. To increase humidity around your plant, consider placing it in a kitchen or bathroom or on a pebble tray. If your home is particularly dry, invest in a small space humidifier.

Fertilizer

Feed Chinese evergreen with slow-release pellets or liquid houseplant fertilizer twice a year, at the beginning and end of its growing season. If soil is nutrient poor, increase feeding frequency to every six weeks throughout the growing season.

Types of Chinese Evergreen

There are several popular cultivars of Chinese evergreen, including:

  • 'Frasher': Features milky green leaves, with cream variegation and white petioles.
  • 'Pseudobracteatum': Leaves are spattered with green-gray splotches, with white highlighting on the veins.
  • 'White Rajah': Foliage has broad amounts of white coloration.
  • 'Red Zircon': Green leaves with pink blotchy sections in the center.
  • 'Silver Bay': Silver tinges in the center of predominantly green leaves.
  • 'Maria': A shade-tolerant variety with dark green leaves and silvery stripes.

Pruning

New stems grow from the crown of Chinese evergreen, and stems tend to put out leaves at the top. Lower leaves die back and either fall off or can be removed. This growth habit results in a plant that eventually becomes leggy and bare at the bottom with all the leaves at the top.

Keep your plant looking lush by removing spent leaves. You may need to reach deep down in the center of the plant. You can peel discolored or dead leaves from the main stem with your fingers. When stems become leggy, cut them back with a sharp sterile tool just above the 4th or 5th leaf node. The pruned stem will produce new leaves, bringing foliage closer to soil level to create a fuller appearance. Spring or early summer is the best time to prune Chinese evergreen.

Propagating Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreens can be propagated using stem cuttings or by dividing the plants during repotting. Wait until summer when the weather is warmest.

To propagate with stem cuttings:

  1. Use a sharp cutting tool to remove a stem several inches long.
  2. Put the cutting in a glass of water in a spot that receives indirect sunlight. Roots should form in three to four weeks.
  3. Carefully transfer your cutting to a pot filled with well-draining potting soil and keep moist.

To propagate by division:

  1. Lay the pot carefully on its side. Use a trowel to loosen soil and gently pull the plant from the pot.
  2. Lightly shake dirt from the roots. Tease apart the roots to separate a clump for repotting.
  3. Repot the clump in a pot filled with well-draining potting soil.
  4. Keep both the original plant and the divided plant moist for a few weeks until both are established.

Potting and Repotting Chinese Evergreen

This plant grows well in a standard peat-based potting mix combined with sand or perlite to improve drainage. Any material will do for a pot, though it's common to use decorative ceramic or clay. Repot them every two or three years in spring. Chinese evergreen can be allowed to become slightly root-bound before repotting. The potting mix should be kept moist at all times, but watering can be slightly reduced during winter.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

While not susceptible to many pests or diseases, the Chinese evergreen can occasionally pick up a common houseplant issue like scale, mealybugs, or spider mites. These can be treated with neem oil.

Most other issues arise because the plant is kept too moist. Fungal infections and root rot are typical of an over-watered Chinese evergreen.

Common Problems With Chinese Evergreen

Curling Leaves

Free of most common problems, leaf curl is one caused by several maintenance errors. Temperature fluctuations, inadequate humidity, and underwatering all can cause leaf edges to curl up towards the center.

Increase the humidity in the air around your plant with a pebble tray or humidifier. Keep it in a warm location free of drafts. Remove dry, brown leaves.

Burnt Leaves

Exposure to bright direct sunlight causes leaf edges to turn brown and dry. Move your plant to a location with indirect or filtered light.

Yellow Leaves

These plants prefer drier rather than overly moist soil. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering. Choose pots no more than and 1 or 2 inches wider than the rootball.

FAQ
  • Does Aglaonema need full sun?

    Aglaonema should not be placed in full sun, since they are vulnerable to leaf scorch. Give this plant bright but indirect light. The lighter the variegation on the leaves, the more light the plant needs. Types with dark green leaves will grow in part shade.

  • Does Aglaonema like big pots?

    Aglaonema prefers to be slightly rootbound and a bit on the dry side. Choose a pot that corresponds to the size of the plant.

  • Do Aglaonema plants like to be misted?

    Aglaeonema plants like humidity, but misting is not the solution. Misting a plant's leaves will only raise the humidity for several minutes. A small humidifier is better for increasing moisture in the air.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Aglaonemun commutatum. Missouri Botanical Garden

  2. Aglaonema commutatum. North Carolina State University Extension.

  3. Chinese Evergreen Plant. Houseplant Expert.

  4. Houseplant humidity. Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County