Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen) Care: Light, Water, Pets and Yellow Leaves
Aglaonema, Chinese evergreen
Aglaonema, often sold as Chinese evergreen, brings leaf color to rooms that are too dim for most colorful plants.
How to care for an aglaonema
Aglaonema tolerates low to medium light, and the more colorful varieties keep their color better with brighter, indirect light. Direct sun can scorch the leaves.
It dislikes cold. Keep it away from cold drafts and winter windows, as cold can damage the leaves and turn them yellow.
Where an aglaonema works
Lower light
It tolerates low to medium light. Colors are quieter.
Brighter, indirect light
The more colorful varieties keep their color.
Cold window or draft
Cold can damage the leaves and turn them yellow. Keep it away from winter glass.
How often to water an aglaonema
Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, typically every 1 to 2 weeks, and let the excess drain. Do not let the pot sit in water.
Why aglaonema leaves turn yellow
Yellow leaves most often mean overwatering or cold. Check the soil first, then the plant's position relative to drafts and windows.
An occasional yellow lower leaf can be normal. Brown tips suggest dry air or a long gap between waterings.
Pots, drainage and water
Aglaonema dislikes cold and wet roots. Keep the pot out of drafts and away from cold glass, and make sure it drains.
- Rocks on a pot collar hide the rim of the liner and the soil line.
- The plant stays in its liner, a nursery pot with drainage holes, so water can leave the soil.
- A filler under the liner sets the height so the rim sits just below the top of the decorative pot.
- The decorative pot has no hole. Water that drains from the liner collects here, and has to be emptied.
My pot has no drainage hole. How do I water?
Use a liner with holes inside the decorative pot. Water at a sink, let it drain, and return it.
Yellow leaves in a pot that stays wet.
Overwatering or cold. Empty the outer pot and check the plant is not standing in water.
How big should the pot be?
Aglaonema is fine a little snug. Go up one size when roots fill the liner.
Can I put it in a glass or ceramic pot with no hole?
Only as the outer pot. Keep the plant in a liner with holes inside it.
Is an aglaonema toxic to cats and dogs?
Aglaonema is toxic to cats and dogs. It contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and can cause drooling and vomiting. Keep it out of reach. Pet-safety information here follows the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
Aglaonema in offices
Aglaonema works well in lower-light office rooms where leaf color is wanted.
In the plant list for a recent office install of about 120 planters, 9 aglaonema were listed in 10 inch pots.
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Plants for Friends designs, installs and maintains interior plants for commercial spaces and homes across San Diego County, Orange County and Los Angeles County. Every project starts with a walkthrough of the actual space, light, scale, traffic and access, before anything is chosen.
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