Aglaonemas, also known as Chinese evergreens, are one of the most popular houseplants thanks to their attractive foliage and easy care needs. However, properly watering your Aglaonema is essential to keeping it healthy and thriving indoors. Underwatering or overwatering can quickly cause issues, so it’s important to understand your plant’s water requirements.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about watering Aglaonema plants successfully.
What are the Watering Needs of Aglaonema Plants?
Aglaonemas are tropical plants native to the humid forests of Asia. As such, they prefer a consistently moist but not soggy soil. The amount of water your Aglaonema needs depends on several factors:
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Pot size – Plants in smaller pots will need more frequent watering than those in larger pots.
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Soil type – Quick draining soil mixes require more frequent watering than soil that retains moisture.
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Light exposure – Aglaonemas in brighter light need more frequent watering
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Temperature & humidity – Warmer and drier environments lead to faster moisture loss from soil.
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Plant size – Larger, more established plants need more water than younger plants.
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Season – In winter when growth slows, watering frequency can be reduced.
As a general rule, established Aglaonema plants need watering approximately once a week. However, you should adjust based on your specific conditions.
Signs Your Aglaonema Needs Water
Don’t rely on a set schedule – your plant will show you when it needs a drink! Here are signs to look for:
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Soil is dry 1-2 inches down
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Leaves are drooping or curling
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Foliage looks wrinkled or limp
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Pot feels light when lifted
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Soil has pulled away from sides of pot
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New growth is smaller than usual
If you notice any of these, it’s time to water your Aglaonema thoroughly.
Signs of Overwatering
Just as important as knowing when to water is recognizing when you’ve watered too much. Overwatering can be just as damaging and causes:
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Soft, mushy leaves
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Brown or yellow leaf tips
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Drooping stems
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Wilting even though soil is moist
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Moldy soil odor
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Roots rotting
If you spot any overwatering signs, hold off watering until the soil has fully dried out.
How to Water Aglaonema Plants Properly
Follow these tips for watering success:
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Water deeply – Aglaonemas have shallow root systems so saturate the entire root zone.
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Water until it drains – Excess water in saucer prevents wet feet.
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Stick to room temperature water – Avoid extremely cold or hot water.
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Use distilled or filtered water – Tap water may have chemicals harmful to the plant.
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Maintain consistent moisture – Allow soil to partially dry before watering again.
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Adjust schedule seasonally – Water less often in winter when growth is slower.
Watering Tips for Healthy Aglaonemas
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Water in morning so leaves dry quickly.
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Add pebbles below pot to improve drainage.
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Use well-draining soil to prevent sogginess.
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Increase humidity to reduce watering needs.
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Check soil moisture daily until you determine plant’s needs.
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Feel lower leaves for softness, a sign of overwatering.
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Leach salts buildup by periodic thorough watering until it drains freely.
Common Watering Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about watering Aglaonema plants:
How often should I water my Aglaonema?
Most Aglaonemas need watering every 5-7 days in spring and summer and every 10-14 days in fall and winter. Adjust as needed based on your environment and the plant’s requirements.
Can I use tap water for my Aglaonema?
Tap water contains minerals that can build up in the soil over time. Use distilled or filtered water for the healthiest plants.
Should I mist my Aglaonema?
Misting raises humidity but doesn’t provide enough water for the roots. Stick to thorough soil watering as the primary method.
What if my plant is still drooping after watering?
Drooping after watering is a sign of a different underlying issue, like rotting roots from overwatering. Allow soil to dry out completely before the next watering.
How can I prevent overwatering?
Using containers with drainage holes, well-draining soil, only watering when soil is partly dry, and emptying water from the saucer prevents wet conditions.
In Summary
- Allow soil to partly dry before waterings.
- Water thoroughly until it drains from holes.
- Stick to room temperature filtered or distilled water.
- Reduce watering frequency in winter.
- Address drooping plants by adjusting watering habits.
Properly watering your Aglaonema is the key to a healthy, thriving plant. Learn your plant’s needs, stick to a consistent schedule, and make adjustments as required. With the tips in this guide, you’ll be an Aglaonema watering expert in no time!
Finding light for Aglaonema in your home
Aglaonema can tolerate being far from a window and light source.
Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive .
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Aglaonema in your home .
Taxonomy Scientific name
Aglaonema needs 0.5 cups of water every 7 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5″ pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
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How to Grow & Care for Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) Indoors
How often should Aglaonema be watered?
Aglaonema plants prefer moist soil and consistent watering, so it’s best to not let their soil dry out completely. We water ours in the growing season (spring & summer) about every other week, and less during the winter. Just be sure they’re in a well-draining pot because too much water can cause root rot.
How do you grow Aglaonema?
Larger plants show best when combined with dark-leafed plants with a similar tolerance of low light, such as pothos. Aglaonema plants are one of the easiest foliage plants to grow. Very small varieties will grow in plain water or in a container filled up with clean pebbles or marbles until you are ready to pot them up.
Do Aglaonema plants need a lot of Sun?
Pink, cream, or light green cultivars may need sunnier spots. Just avoid too much direct sunlight, as that can burn the leaves. Aglaonema plants prefer moist soil and consistent watering, so it’s best to not let their soil dry out completely. We water ours in the growing season (spring & summer) about every other week, and less during the winter.
How do you care for an Aglaonema plant?
Keep the soil lightly moist. Do not overwater nor keep so dry that the leaves droop. Watering once a week on average for optimal Aglaonema care, when the top inch of the potting mix is dry when you stick your finger in. Aglaonemas tolerate dry air better than most houseplants, but still benefit from misting every day when indoor air is very dry.