Aglaonema care
Aglaonema commutatum — also called Chinese evergreen. Everything below is the same data Plantroster uses to schedule care for this species.
Care at a glance
| Light | Medium indirect. Tolerates low. No direct sun — the painted/pink cultivars want more light than the dark green ones. |
|---|---|
| Water | About every 9 days in summer, every 16 in winter. Let the top 2" dry first. |
| Soil | Standard houseplant mix — 7 parts potting mix, 3 parts perlite |
| Humidity | At least 40%, happiest near 60% |
| Temperature | 65–80°F. Cold damage below 55°F; heat stress in sun above 95°F. |
| Feeding | Every ~45 days while actively growing. Nothing in winter. |
| Repotting | Every 3 years, or when roots circle the pot |
| Tap water | Tolerates tap water |
| Pets & children | Toxic. Calcium oxalates. |
What people get wrong about aglaonema
Notably cold-sensitive for a houseplant: below ~55°F it develops greasy grey-green blotches that never recover. Move it in early.
Often mistaken for calathea — aglaonema leaves are thicker and don’t move at night.
Common problems
Watch for mealybugs, spider mites, scale. Check leaf undersides monthly — backlighting a leaf against a window is the fastest way to catch mite webbing before an infestation takes hold.
Plantroster tracks this plant's watering, feeding and repotting cadence against your actual weather — and tells you when a cold night or heatwave means moving it.
Open PlantrosterAglaonema FAQ
How often should I water a aglaonema?
Roughly every 9 days in the growing season and every 16 days in winter, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule — light, pot size and your home's warmth all shift it. Genuinely low-light tolerant, which means it dries slowly — overwatering is the usual killer.
Is aglaonema toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Calcium oxalates. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
How much light does a aglaonema need?
Medium indirect is ideal, and it will cope with low. No direct sun — the painted/pink cultivars want more light than the dark green ones.
Why does my aglaonema have brown tips?
Aglaonema is not fluoride-sensitive, so brown tips here usually point to inconsistent watering or fertilizer salts built up in old soil. Flush the pot thoroughly and keep to a steadier watering rhythm.
What soil is best for aglaonema?
Standard houseplant mix: 7 parts potting mix, 3 parts perlite. Bagged potting soil alone stays too wet in an indoor pot; perlite fixes the drainage.
Other plant guides
General horticultural guidance, not a substitute for inspecting your own plant. Toxicity notes are a starting point — if a pet or child has eaten part of a plant, contact a vet or poison control rather than relying on this page.