How to Care for Aglaonema commutatum (Chinese evergreen)

Korean name: 아글라오네마

A beautiful tropical plant with various patterns and colors on its leaves. It is tolerant of low light and easy to care for, making it ideal for indoor settings.

Key facts

Care Guide

Detailed care guide

Aglaonema is an indoor foliage plant prized for its beautifully patterned, colorful leaves. It's easy to care for and tolerates low light well, making it a great choice for beginners too.

Watering

Water it once the top of the soil has dried out. Watering too often can leave the roots waterlogged, turning the leaves yellow and mushy, so be sure to check the soil condition. On the other hand, letting it get too dry can cause the leaf tips to turn brown.

Light

It thrives in low light or indirect light — avoid direct sun. If light is too weak, the stems can stretch out and grow leggy, so keep it in indirect light. In a brighter room, you'll see more vivid leaf patterns.

Humidity

It likes moderate to high humidity. In overly dry conditions, the leaf tips can dry out, so keep humidity up. Good airflow combined with avoiding excessive dryness is helpful.

Temperature

It likes temperatures around 18–27°C best. Growth can slow if it's too cold or too hot. Avoid sudden temperature swings or drafty, cold spots.

A common first-timer mistake

Watering too often is a common mistake. Be sure to water only after the soil surface has dried.

If you have pets

If pets eat Chinese evergreen, it can cause mild symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. Keep it somewhere they can't reach or chew on.

Season by season

Aglaonema grows most actively from spring through summer. During this period, fertilizing once a month helps. In winter, growth slows down, so space out your watering and skip fertilizer.

Common problems and fixes

Yellowing, mushy, or drooping leaves can be a sign of overwatering, so adjust your watering. If the leaf tips turn brown, it could be from dryness, so check the humidity and watering. If the stems grow long from lack of light, try moving it to a brighter, indirect-light spot.

Repotting and propagation

It grows well in a well-draining potting mix, and you can consider repotting once the roots have filled the pot. It's important to check the soil condition regularly in an indoor setting. Propagation is generally done through cuttings, though we can't give specific instructions here.

Who it's a good fit for

This plant is a great fit for first-time plant owners or people with busy schedules who can't tend to their plants often. Because it thrives in dim indoor spaces or indirect light, it's easy to grow in a home or office. It's an approachable houseplant anyone can start with.

Written by AI from the care facts in this entry. Treat it as a starting point.

Common questions

How often should you water Aglaonema commutatum?

Water when the top of the soil is dry. Roughly every 10 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.

Where should you keep Aglaonema commutatum?

It likes Low light to indirect light (avoid direct sunlight). You can grow it indoors. Use Well-draining potting mix.

Is Aglaonema commutatum safe around pets?

Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.

Is Aglaonema commutatum good for beginners?

Difficulty: Easy. It is forgiving enough for a first plant. Keep it around 18~27°C. Humidity: Moderate to high. Fertilise Once a month from spring to summer.