Light
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves signal stress, not a diagnosis. Check light, watering, pests, and recent changes.
Check causesPlant profile
Chinese evergreen
Aglaonema spp.
Also known as Golden evergreen, Philippine evergreen
A leafy indoor plant profile for lower to medium indirect light and observation-led adjustments to its root zone.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Growth
- Slow
- Pet safety
- Toxic to pets
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low, Medium indirect, Bright indirect
- Water check
- Check 3–5 cm below the surface
- Humidity
- Average
- Temperature
- 18–29°C
- Soil
- Use a mix that drains and gives a clear deeper-moisture signal instead of relying on the top layer.
- Growth pattern
- Slow growth
Quick care guide
What to do
- Use diffuse indirect light.
- Let the medium dry between waterings.
- Keep leaves away from pets.
Avoid
- Keeping the mix constantly wet.
- Using cold water.
- Placing it within reach of pets.
Good to know
- Repotting
- Repot when roots, mix, or drainage make moisture observations unreliable rather than on a calendar.
- Humidity
- Average indoor humidity can be workable; compare airflow, soil, and light if foliage changes.
- Propagation
- Propagation details need expert review for this profile.
Diagnose changes early
See all problems Common problems
Complete care reference
Detailed care guide
Light requirements
Lower to medium indirect light can be a starting fit; make location changes gradually and observe the response.
Watering guidance
Check below the surface before watering and let excess drain. A droop or yellow leaf alone is not enough evidence to add water.
This is a care estimate, not a fixed watering schedule. Check the root zone before deciding.
Soil
Use a mix that drains and gives a clear deeper-moisture signal instead of relying on the top layer.
Humidity
Average indoor humidity can be workable; compare airflow, soil, and light if foliage changes.
Fertilizer
Use a labelled product only during stable active growth, not as the first response to a problem.
Repotting
Repot when roots, mix, or drainage make moisture observations unreliable rather than on a calendar.
Pruning
Use clean tools for damaged leaves after checking whether a broader care change is involved.
Propagation
Propagation details need expert review for this profile.
Temperature
Aim for a stable indoor range around 18–29°C. Local conditions and seasonal changes still matter.
Toxicity
For cats: toxic; for dogs: toxic; for humans: toxic. Keep plant material out of reach of children and animals; consult a veterinary or medical professional if ingestion is suspected.
When to act
Warning signs
Yellow leaves with wet soil
Pause watering and inspect drainage before making other changes.
Brown leaves in dry or drafty air
Check humidity, drafts, and root-zone moisture together.
Prevent common setbacks
Common mistakes to avoid
- Keeping the mix constantly wet.
- Using cold water.
- Placing it within reach of pets.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
Can Chinese evergreen be watered just because the top soil looks dry?
No. Confirm the deeper root-zone condition before deciding whether water is appropriate.
Is Chinese evergreen safe for pets?
No. ASPCA lists Chinese evergreen as toxic to cats and dogs.
Why can Chinese evergreen leaves turn brown?
Check dry air, drafts, root-zone moisture, and pests before changing multiple care conditions.
Can Chinese evergreen grow in lower light?
It can suit low-light indoor positions, but drying will slow, so adjust watering based on the mix.
Editorial details
Sources and review
Sources used
These references support the safety, temperature, watering, pest, propagation, and warning-sign guidance in this profile.
- pet safety: ASPCA: Chinese Evergreen, NC State: Chinese Evergreen
- temperature: NC State: Chinese Evergreen
- watering: NC State: Chinese Evergreen
- pests: NC State: Chinese Evergreen
- propagation: NC State: Chinese Evergreen
- warning signs: NC State: Chinese Evergreen
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