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Plant guideChinese evergreen care: the complete guide
Guidance verified against Clemson Cooperative Extension, the ASPCA and current care guides from Healthy Houseplants and Our House Plants on 1 October 2026. Figures were taken from search summaries of those pages, dated the same day. Sources linked below.
A Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) tolerates low to medium indirect light, wants water when the top inch or two of soil has dried, and does best at 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C). It is one of the most forgiving foliage plants, it is damaged by cold below about 60°F (15°C), and the ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs.
| Attribute | What a Chinese evergreen needs |
|---|---|
| Light | Low to medium indirect light; green and silver types cope with low light, red and pink types need brighter light |
| Water | When the top inch or two of soil is dry, about every 1 to 2 weeks; every 10 to 14 days in winter |
| Temperature | 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C); damaged below about 60°F (15°C) |
| Humidity | Prefers about 50 to 60 per cent, tolerates average indoor air |
| Soil / pot | Well-draining potting mix in a pot with drainage holes |
| Fertiliser | Lightly, in spring and summer only |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA) |
How much light does a Chinese evergreen need?
A Chinese evergreen needs low to medium indirect light, and the leaf colour decides how much. Plain green and silver varieties are the most low-light tolerant. Red and pink varieties need slightly brighter indirect light to hold their colour and fade to green in dim rooms. Direct sun scorches the leaves in every variety. The light guide explains the shadow test for judging a spot.
| Leaf colour | Light it needs | If it gets too little |
|---|---|---|
| Dark green or silver-patterned | Low to medium indirect light | Slow growth, otherwise fine |
| Red, pink or bright variegation | Medium to bright indirect light | Colour fades toward green |
| Any colour in direct sun | Too much | Scorched, bleached patches |
How often should you water a Chinese evergreen?
Water a Chinese evergreen when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, then let the excess drain away. It prefers evenly moist soil but not soggy roots, so never leave it standing in water, which leads to root rot. That works out to roughly every 1 to 2 weeks in spring and summer. In winter the plant uses very little water in lower light and cooler rooms, so check every 10 to 14 days. Room-temperature water suits it best. The watering guide covers the finger test.
What temperature and humidity does a Chinese evergreen need?
A Chinese evergreen grows best at 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C) and prefers humidity of about 50 to 60 per cent. Cold is its weak point: temperatures below about 60°F (15°C) and cold drafts cause yellowing and leaf damage, so keep it away from leaky windows and air conditioning. It tolerates average indoor humidity, and a pebble tray, grouped plants or a humidifier help in dry rooms. The temperature guide lists ranges for other plants and the humidity guide covers raising humidity.
What soil, pot and fertiliser does a Chinese evergreen need?
Use a well-draining potting mix in a pot with drainage holes, and fertilise lightly in spring and summer only. A Chinese evergreen grows slowly and is happy slightly root-bound, so it rarely needs a bigger pot more than every two to three years. The soil and pot guide, fertilising guide and repotting guide cover mixes, dilution and timing.
How often should you fertilise a Chinese evergreen?
Fertilise a Chinese evergreen lightly in spring and summer only, with a balanced liquid feed at half strength about every 4 to 6 weeks. Sources disagree on frequency: some say monthly in the growing season, others only once to three times a year, especially in low light. All agree on two points, stop feeding in autumn and winter, and err on the weak side, because over-feeding burns leaf tips. A plant in low light grows slowly and needs the least. The fertilising guide covers dilution.
When should you repot a Chinese evergreen?
Repot a Chinese evergreen every two to three years, or when it is root-bound, into a pot only slightly larger than the current one. Do it in spring. Roots circling the drainage holes or water running straight through are the signs. If the soil stays soggy and the plant declines, repot into fresh mix and trim any mushy roots, as described in the root rot guide.
Why is my Chinese evergreen leggy, and should you prune it?
A leggy Chinese evergreen is almost always short of light, and pruning is rarely needed beyond removing dead leaves. Dim rooms slow growth, dull the colour and stretch the stems. Move it to brighter indirect light and rotate the pot about monthly if the light comes from one side, which keeps the shape even. Cut yellow or brown leaves off at the base. Sources agree there is no need to cut back healthy stems.
What pests attack a Chinese evergreen?
The usual Chinese evergreen pests are mealybugs, spider mites, scale and aphids, and most are treated with alcohol, soap or neem oil. Isolate an affected plant from the others first, then treat weekly, out of direct sun.
| Pest | Sign | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White cottony clumps, sticky residue | Dab with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or use insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing, speckled leaves | Raise humidity, wash the leaves with water, then insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe (see the spider mites guide) |
| Scale and aphids | Bumps on stems, sticky leaves | Wipe off, then weekly insecticidal soap or neem oil |
Why are my Chinese evergreen's leaves turning yellow?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Lower leaves yellow, soil wet for days | Overwatering or root rot | Let the top inch or two dry; make sure the pot drains |
| Yellowing or limp leaves after a cold night | Cold below about 60°F or a draft | Move somewhere warm and steady |
| Brown, crisp edges or tips | Dry air or irregular watering | Raise humidity; water on a steady schedule |
| Faded red or pink colour | Too little light | Move to brighter indirect light |
| Scorched pale patches | Direct sun | Move back from the window |
The yellow leaves guide and brown leaves guide cover the general diagnosis.
How do you propagate a Chinese evergreen?
Take a 4 to 6 inch stem cutting with at least two leaves, or divide the root ball, and keep it warm. Cut the stem at a slant, strip the lower leaves and root it in water or moist potting mix at 70 to 80°F (21 to 27°C) with high humidity. Roots form in about 2 to 4 weeks. Division is the simplest route for a crowded plant: separate the root ball into sections that each have stems and roots and pot them up. The propagation guide compares methods across plants.
Is a Chinese evergreen toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Aglaonema as toxic to cats, dogs and horses because the plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing releases needle-like crystals that irritate the mouth and throat, causing pain, drooling, swelling of the lips and tongue, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Keep it out of reach of pets. It is on the toxic side of the pet safety list, alongside pothos and peace lily, which carry the same crystals. For a pet that has chewed it, contact a vet or an animal poison helpline.
FAQ
- How often should you water a Chinese evergreen?
- When the top inch or two of soil is dry, about every 1 to 2 weeks, and less in winter.
- Can a Chinese evergreen grow in low light?
- Yes for green and silver varieties; red and pink varieties need brighter indirect light.
- Is a Chinese evergreen toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats, dogs and horses (calcium oxalate crystals).
- Why are my Chinese evergreen's leaves turning yellow?
- Usually overwatering, or cold below about 60°F (15°C).
- How do you propagate a Chinese evergreen?
- By 4 to 6 inch stem cuttings or by dividing the root ball; roots form in 2 to 4 weeks.
- Why is my Chinese evergreen leggy?
- Usually too little light; move it somewhere brighter and rotate it monthly.
- How often should you repot a Chinese evergreen?
- Every two to three years, or when root-bound, into a slightly larger pot.
- What pests attack a Chinese evergreen?
- Mealybugs, spider mites, scale and aphids; treat with alcohol, insecticidal soap or neem oil.