Aglaonema: care, light, pink Aglaonema and varieties

To care for an Aglaonema, place it in indirect light, away from direct sun, water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, keep it above 59 °F and away from cold drafts, and repot it in spring when roots emerge from the pot.

These guidelines come from Clemson University Extension’s Chinese evergreen fact sheet and the UF/IFAS (University of Florida) Aglaonema growing guide. One distinction matters: pink Aglaonema, like red varieties, needs more light than green Aglaonema to retain its color.

This guide covers light requirements by color, watering, minimum temperature, yellow or brown leaves, repotting, propagation, and toxicity to cats. To compare it with other houseplants, see our indoor foliage plant guide.

🌿 Pink (Pink, Pinky Promise), red, green, or variegated Aglaonema: how color makes a difference

Not all Aglaonema are grown in quite the same way: leaf color indicates how much light the plant needs. Clemson Extension puts it simply: all-green cultivars grow in low light, variegated types need low to medium light, and none likes direct sun on its leaves.

For a pink cultivar such as 'Light Pink Star', the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) profile notes that brighter light intensifies its color. That is why pink Aglaonema (called Aglaonema pink on plant labels, or sold as Pinky Promise) or red varieties fade in the back of a room, while green Aglaonema holds up there.

Conversely, UF/IFAS reminds growers that Aglaonema should never be placed in full sun, which can scorch the leaves. Silver-variegated Aglaonema falls somewhere in between.

🔎 Aglaonema at a glance (Aglaonema commutatum and cultivars)

Here is a verified profile of Aglaonema, sometimes spelled aglaonéma. According to Plants of the World Online (POWO) from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the genus Aglaonema Schott, published in 1829, comprises 26 accepted species distributed from northeastern India to Papua New Guinea.

The most widely cultivated species, Aglaonema commutatum Schott (1856), is native to central Malesia, the Philippines, and Sulawesi, where it grows as a subshrub in humid tropical forests.

Commercial pink and red Aglaonema are cultivars: NC State lists several, such as 'Lucky Red', 'Red Emerald', and 'Lady Valentine', but many names used in retail do not have a botanical profile.

To distinguish it from Dieffenbachia, NC State Extension (North Carolina State University) recommends counting the main lateral veins: Aglaonema has 5 to 8.

📋 Quick care sheet

Essential growing guidelines, all in one glance.

📍 Where to place an Aglaonema: location, light, and bathrooms

Place your Aglaonema in a bright room, away from direct sun: NC State says it does well in filtered light or bright indirect light. UF/IFAS notes that it tolerates light as low as 25 foot-candles, or about 270 lux, which explains its reputation as a plant for dim rooms; however, only green Aglaonema truly thrive in such conditions.

For pink or red Aglaonema, move it closer to an east- or west-facing window, or place it back from a south-facing window behind a sheer curtain. A bright bathroom suits it: the humidity is a bonus, though not essential, according to Clemson. Avoid entry doors and air vents, as cold drafts can mark its leaves.

☀️ Ideal location: East- or west-facing window for pink or red Aglaonema; a bright spot away from the window for green Aglaonema

🌡️ Warmth: Ideally 68 to 81 °F (Clemson); never below 59 °F, as UF/IFAS has observed cold damage 3 to 7 days after exposure to temperatures below 50 to 55 °F

🌳 Aglaonema outdoors: The RHS rates it H1B (minimum 50 to 59 °F): summering it outdoors in the shade is only an option if nighttime temperatures stay above 59 °F; bring it indoors as soon as nights turn colder

🪴 Repotting Aglaonema: when and how

Repot your Aglaonema while it is actively growing, in spring or early summer, as recommended by University of Illinois Extension.

According to the same source, the telltale signs are roots emerging from the drainage holes or appearing on the surface, a rootbound root ball, new leaves smaller than usual, or a plant wilting between normal waterings.

Clemson recommends a commercial soilless potting mix enriched with humus, in a pot with drainage holes; our universal potting mix enriched with biostimulants is suitable.

Choose a pot only slightly larger: too much soil dries slowly and encourages root rot, warns Iowa State University Extension. After buying a plant, also read our guide to repotting a plant after purchase.

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✂️ Aglaonema care: watering, humidity, and fertilizer

Aglaonema care involves only a few simple tasks, as long as you check by touch rather than following a schedule. Clemson recommends watering when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, using room-temperature water; UF/IFAS advises keeping the soil moist but never waterlogged.

NC State adds that you should reduce watering in winter, though the plant does not need a true dormant period, and avoid cold water. As for humidity, Clemson says it grows well in homes with low to moderate humidity; if leaf edges turn brown in winter, see our solutions for increasing air humidity without misting.

💧 Watering Aglaonema: Check with your finger: water thoroughly when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry, let it drain, and empty the saucer; water less often in winter

💧 Water: Use room-temperature water (Clemson), never cold water (NC State)

💧 Humidity: Low to moderate is sufficient (Clemson); use a tray of moist pebbles or group plants together if the air is very dry

🌱 Fertilizer: Highly diluted balanced fertilizer once a month (UF/IFAS: 20-20-20 at 50 ppm nitrogen), only in spring and summer—for example, half-strength of our liquid fertilizer for houseplants

🧹 Cleaning: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and cut fully dried leaves off at the base

🍂 Aglaonema in winter: cold, light, and watering

Winter is the riskiest season for Aglaonema, more because of the cold than lack of water. Clemson says it is sensitive to temperatures below 50 °F; UF/IFAS notes that 'Silver Queen' is particularly vulnerable and that damage appears as gray spots that turn dark and greasy, 3 to 7 days after exposure, starting with the older leaves.

Keep it above 59 °F, away from cold windows at night and from doors. Protect it during transport after purchase, too: Iowa State notes that even brief exposure to freezing temperatures damages tropical plants, and advises limiting time in a cold car or garage.

As for light, move it closer to a window, especially if it is pink or red, and water less often. For other plants, our guide to houseplants in winter offers more advice.

📅 Seasonal care calendar

🌱 Propagating and dividing Aglaonema

The two methods that work at home are dividing offsets and taking stem cuttings.

To divide the plant, take advantage of spring repotting: separate offsets growing from the base, keeping their roots attached. The RHS and NC State list this method, and UF/IFAS identifies it, along with stem cuttings, as the basis of propagation, since in vitro propagation has not been successful in this genus. For cuttings, UF/IFAS uses sections bearing 4 to 5 leaves.

Clemson offers another useful tip: when an older Aglaonema loses its lower leaves and its stem becomes bare, you can cut off the top and root it. Plant the cutting in a light potting mix, in a warm spot with indirect light; our article on propagating in water or potting mix can help you choose a method. Wear gloves: the sap irritates skin.

🐛 Yellow, brown, or curling leaves: causes and solutions

A yellow leaf on an Aglaonema is not necessarily a cause for concern: Iowa State notes that a healthy plant naturally sheds its oldest leaves. When several leaves turn yellow or brown, the same source points first to growing conditions: overwatering or underwatering, drafts, dry air, too much or too little light, or a sudden change in exposure.

For leaves that curl, none of the sources consulted addresses this symptom specifically: first check whether the root ball is too dry, whether the plant has been exposed to a cold snap, or whether it’s getting too much sun—the three causes that distort foliage in the table below. UF/IFAS also describes new leaves that are “hooked,” linked to changes in light, fertilizer, watering, and temperature.

For other plants, read our article on yellowing lower leaves.

🌸 Our Aglaonema varieties: Pink Star and other pink, red, silver, and green varieties

Here are the Aglaonema in our Aglaonema collection, described from our own production photos; the pink and red cultivars do not have authoritative botanical references unless noted. Looking for the “Pinky Promise” plant (Aglaonema Pinky Promise)? This is a sales name used for pink Aglaonema, not a botanical name: none of the sources consulted (POWO, RHS, NC State) describes it, and we do not sell it under this name; the care advice for pink Aglaonema applies to it.

🎨 Aglaonema mixes and pairings: which plants go well with it?

Aglaonema shares its needs with other aroids that thrive in bright shade: warmth, indirect light, and consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. It makes a natural pairing with a Dieffenbachia, its relative with similar leaves, or a Spathiphyllum, which adds white flowers.

To mix Aglaonema in the same planter, combine a green, a silver, and a pink variety: place the pink one near the window and water the whole planter by feel. For the least bright corners, our selection of indoor plants for dark rooms offers other options, and you can find all our varieties in the Aglaonema collection.

⚠️ Is Aglaonema toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA’s “Chinese Evergreen” profile (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), based on Aglaonema modestum, classifies it as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses due to its insoluble calcium oxalates.

The signs listed include oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (except in horses), and difficulty swallowing.

The ASPCA profile covers only one species; NC State’s genus profile reports the same calcium oxalate crystals in Aglaonema, describes its toxicity as low, and notes that its sap can cause dermatitis, while the RHS states that its cultivars are harmful if eaten and irritating to the skin and eyes.

Pink Aglaonema is therefore no less toxic than green varieties. Keep it out of reach of pets and children, wear gloves when handling it, and call your veterinarian if it is ingested. If you have a cat, consult our list of non-toxic plants for cats.

✅ Our expert tips for success

Keep four tips in mind to help your Aglaonema thrive. Choose its spot based on its color: low light for a green variety, bright light without direct sun for a pink or red Aglaonema. Water by feel, when the top 2.5 to 5 cm of soil is dry, and water less in winter. Protect it from the cold: never let it get below 15 °C, and keep it out of drafts.

Finally, repot in spring when roots emerge from the pot, and divide the offsets to propagate your plant.