Chinese Evergreen Care: A Colorful, Low-Light Beauty for Every Home

The Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) is one of the most adaptable and eye-catching houseplants you can grow. Known for its richly patterned leaves in shades of green, silver, pink, and even red, it brings a tropical, decorative feel to any space without demanding much in return. With its tolerance for lower light and irregular watering, it’s an excellent pick for homes and offices where other plants might struggle.

Here’s how to care for a Chinese Evergreen, including where to place it, how to water it, and what to do if it starts acting up.

Lighting That Keeps the Color: Finding the Right Spot Indoors

Chinese Evergreens grow best in low to medium indirect light, making them perfect for dim rooms and shady corners.

While green varieties thrive in lower light, more colorful types with pink or red variegation will appreciate slightly brighter conditions to keep their color vivid.

Avoid direct sunlight, which can bleach or burn the leaves.

Moist but Never Soggy: How to Water a Chinese Evergreen

Let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering. Chinese Evergreens prefer consistently moist soil during active growth, but they don’t like to sit in water.

Too much moisture can lead to root rot. In cooler months, reduce watering and let the soil dry out a bit more between drinks.

A well-draining potting mix is essential.

Warm and Stable: The Ideal Temperature and Humidity Range

This plant thrives in indoor temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. It does not tolerate cold drafts or temperatures below 55°F.

Keep it away from open windows in winter or chilly entryways. Chinese Evergreens like moderate humidity but will tolerate average indoor air.

If you notice crispy tips, try misting occasionally or using a pebble tray for a boost.

Feeding for Growth and Color: When to Fertilize

Feed once a month during spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength.

Cut back on fertilizing in the fall and stop completely in winter.

Use a good quality 20-20-20 fertilizer, like this one or a 10-10-10 fertilizer, such as this one,

Avoid overfeeding, which can cause brown tips or a buildup of salts in the soil.

Repotting as Needed: When to Refresh Its Space

Chinese Evergreens are slow to moderate growers and don’t need frequent repotting.

Every two to three years is usually enough.

Repot in spring if the roots are circling the pot or the plant dries out too quickly after watering. Choose a container just one size larger with fresh soil.

Best Spot in the Home: Where Your Chinese Evergreen Will Look and Feel Great

Chinese Evergreens are ideal for bedrooms, offices, bathrooms, or hallways with limited sunlight.

Their bold foliage makes them a striking accent in minimalist rooms or a colorful addition to mixed plant displays.

Popular Chinese Evergreen Varieties Worth Knowing

There are dozens of gorgeous Chinese Evergreen cultivars, each with its own color palette and leaf pattern.

While they all share the same easygoing care routine, the variety you choose can really change the look and feel of your space.

Aglaonema ‘Silver Bay’

This classic variety features large, silvery centers on each leaf with soft green edges.

It grows tall and full and is one of the most common varieties found in garden centers.

Aglaonema ‘Maria’

With narrow, lance-shaped leaves and dark green tones splashed with silver, this variety is especially good for low-light rooms and has a more compact shape.

Aglaonema ‘Red Siam’

This bold cultivar brings a pop of color with pink-red stems and vibrant red variegation across deep green leaves.

It does best in medium to bright indirect light to keep its color intense.

Aglaonema ‘Emerald Beauty’ (also known as ‘Maria Christina’)

A soft, elegant plant with silvery-green foliage and dark green veins, perfect for minimalist or modern interiors.

It tolerates lower light while still looking bright.

Aglaonema ‘Super White’

This stunning variety has extremely pale, almost white leaves with soft green veins.

It needs a bit more light than others to prevent the foliage from fading, but it’s well worth the effort.

Let me know if you’d like a printable version with variety photos too—I can prep something stylish to match your tone and audience

Caring for Chinese Evergreens Outdoors: When and Where They Can Thrive Outside

If you live in a warm, frost-free climate (zones 10–12), you can grow Chinese Evergreens outdoors year-round.

They love shaded patios, covered porches, and protected garden beds.

Make sure they’re planted in rich, well-draining soil and shielded from harsh sun and wind.

In cooler climates, you can move your plant outdoors for the summer—just transition it gradually to avoid shock and bring it back inside before temperatures dip below 55°F.

Common Chinese Evergreen Problems and How to Fix Them

Yellowing leaves
Often caused by overwatering or poor drainage

Fix it by letting the soil dry more between waterings and checking that the pot drains properly

Brown tips or edges
Usually a result of dry air, over-fertilizing, or salt buildup from hard water

Fix it by misting the plant, using filtered water, and reducing the frequency or strength of fertilizer

Drooping leaves
Typically a watering issue—either too much or too little

Fix it by checking the soil; water if dry, or repot if soggy and compacted

Leaf loss or fading color
Could be due to low light or temperature stress

Fix it by moving the plant to a warmer, brighter spot with indirect light

Pests like mealybugs or spider mites
These occasionally show up, especially in dry air

Fix it by wiping down leaves, rinsing the plant gently, and treating with neem oil if needed

Final Thoughts

With its striking foliage, low-light tolerance, and forgiving nature, the Chinese Evergreen is one of the best houseplants for busy homes and relaxed plant lovers alike.

Whether you love soft silver tones or bold red leaves, there’s a variety to match your vibe—and once you find the right spot and rhythm, this plant will bring beauty and color for years to come.