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Aglaonema

Common name: Chinese evergreen

Aglaonema is a genus of evergreen perennials in the arum family, native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Asia and New Guinea. Plants form clumps of stems with broad, lance-shaped leaves, often strikingly variegated in silver, cream, pink, or red. They are among the most shade-tolerant of all houseplants.

Fun facts

  • Chinese evergreens are famous for tolerating deeper shade than almost any other common houseplant.
  • Their flowers look like miniature peace lilies — a spathe and spadix typical of the arum family.
  • Aglaonema appeared on NASA's Clean Air Study list of plants that help remove indoor air pollutants.

Care summary

Sun Low to medium indirect light
Water Moderate; let the top few cm dry out
Soil Well-draining, peat-based mix
Hardiness Zones 10–12
Mature height 0.3–1 m (1–3 ft)
Pet safe Toxic if ingested (calcium oxalate)

Common problems

    • Let top inch of soil dry first
    • Use pots with drainage holes
    • Empty saucers after watering
    • Keep plant away from cold windows
    • Raise humidity around the plant
    • Trim off fully browned leaves
    • Wipe leaves with a damp cloth
    • Treat with insecticidal soap
    • Isolate the infested plant
    • Move to brighter indirect light
    • Rotate the pot weekly