Aglaonema plants often have leaves that change color, but this could mean that something is wrong.
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I’ve been interested in tropical plants ever since I started keeping houseplants, so it wasn’t long before I bought a pretty Chinese evergreen. The plants in this group are also called aglaonemas. They come in many colors and patterns and will make a statement in your home.
This is a pretty easy way to take care of Chinese evergreens, but I’ve found that not keeping an eye on things like lighting and watering can make these plants look bad. Like many plant parents, I’ve made some common mistakes while learning how to take care of my indoor plants. For example, I let my Aglaonema Jubilee Compacta leaves turn yellow without realizing it.
Even though it’s a scary sight, I was able to quickly change how my Chinese evergreens were grown to stop more leaves from turning yellow. Now, its thriving happily. Are you not sure why the leaves on your aglaonema plant are turning yellow? I’ve put together a list of common reasons and top tips on how to make your plant happy again. ( credit: Getty s/Firn).
Chinese evergreen, with its beautifully variegated leaves, is a popular houseplant. But those gorgeous leaves can suddenly take on an unhealthy yellow hue, alarming plant parents.
Yellowing leaves on your Chinese evergreen is often a sign of stress and improper care. The good news is that with a few adjustments, you can get your plant back to good health.
Here are 5 of the most common reasons for yellow leaves on Chinese evergreen and what you can do about them
1. Overwatering
Chinese evergreen prefers evenly moist but not wet soil. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of yellow leaves When soil is kept too wet, roots are deprived of oxygen Damaged roots cannot take up water and nutrients properly.
Signs of overwatering include:
- Leaves turn yellow first then brown and drop
- Wilting leaves
- Soft, mushy roots
- Mold growth on soil
How to Fix It:
- Allow soil to fully dry out before watering again
- Water less frequently, only when top inch of soil is slightly dry
- Improve drainage by adding perlite/bark chips to soil
- Repot in fresh, well-draining soil if root rot has set in
2. Underwatering
While Chinese evergreen doesn’t like soggy soil, allowing it to completely dry out also causes stress. Without enough moisture, leaves dry out and begin to yellow.
How to Fix It:
- Water more frequently, when top of soil feels slightly dry
- Use a moisture meter to check soil
- Group plants to increase humidity
- Use a pebble tray for added humidity
3. Insufficient Light
Chinese evergreen thrives in bright, indirect light. Without enough light exposure, the leaves cannot produce enough chlorophyll and begin to yellow.
How to Fix It:
- Place plant in bright spot 3-5 feet from south or west window
- Rotate plant periodically for even light coverage
- Use sheer curtains to filter direct sun
- Supplement with a grow light if needed
4. Low Humidity
The tropical Chinese evergreen craves humidity levels of 60% or higher. In dry indoor air, leaves lose moisture and turn yellow around the edges and tips.
How to Fix It:
- Mist leaves frequently
- Use a humidifier
- Group plants together to boost humidity
- Place on pebble tray filled with water
5. Cold Drafts
Chinese evergreen is sensitive to temperature changes. Exposure to cold from drafty windows or doors causes moisture loss in leaves, resulting in yellowing.
How to Fix It:
- Keep away from drafts from windows, doors, and A/C vents
- Move to warmer room in winter
- Keep above 60°F
- Avoid placing near cold exterior walls
Other Causes of Yellow Leaves:
Older Leaves – Bottom leaves naturally yellow and drop off over time. This is normal as long as newer top leaves look healthy.
Nutrient Deficiency – Lack of nitrogen shows as overall yellowing. Fertilize monthly in spring/summer with balanced liquid fertilizer.
Pests – Insects like spider mites cause stippling damage. Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray.
Diseases – Bacterial leaf spot shows as yellow spots that turn brown. Isolate plant, treat with fungicide. Improve air circulation.
Root Bound – Restricted roots lead to nutrient deficiency. Repot in larger container with fresh soil every 2-3 years.
Temperature Change – Exposure to cold or heat stress turns leaves yellow. Keep between 60-80°F.
Tap Water – Chlorine and fluoride cause leaf tip burn. Use distilled or filtered water.
When to Worry About Yellow Leaves
A few yellow leaves here and there is normal. But if many leaves rapidly turn yellow, it signals a problem. Act quickly to diagnose the cause and remedy it. With the right adjustments to its care, your Chinese evergreen should perk back up and regain its lush green foliage.
Consistent moisture, humidity, warm temps, and bright indirect light provide the ideal conditions to keep your Chinese evergreen thriving with healthy green leaves. Pay close attention to its needs, troubleshoot promptly, and with a little extra care you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, vibrant Chinese evergreen.
Your Chinese evergreen has a pest problem (Image credit: Getty Images/Adipra)
If you know how often to water your Chinese evergreen and have found the perfect place for it to live, but its leaves are still turning yellow, it could be because of a common houseplant pest.
The most common Chinese evergreen pests are scale bugs, spider mites and mealybugs. Monitor your plant regularly and check the underside of the leaves because pests like to hide, says Vladan.
Theres no one way to get rid of pests, as it will depend on what youre dealing with. However, you shouldnt panic if you do notice pests on your aglaonema. Make sure to keep it away from other indoor plants and then do what you need to do to fix the problem.
You should treat the plant promptly to eliminate the pests, advises Vladan. You can use horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps to treat the plant. Perform a patch test on one leaf before spraying the entire plant. Wait one day, and check the leaf. If it shows no signs of damage, proceed to spray the whole plant thoroughly, he suggests.
You can also opt for organic methods, with homemade bug sprays and using things in your kitchen cupboard. No matter what you do, make sure you always follow the directions that come with the pest control products you use.
You’re incorrectly watering your Chinese evergreen (Image credit: Getty Images/Photo by Katkami)
If your Chinese evergreen leaves are turning yellow, the first place to start is checking your watering regime. Both underwatering and overwatering can cause discolored Chinese evergreen foliage, and its usually the main culprit.
With overwatering, roots become suffocated, leaving them at the mercy of root pathogens, explains botanist Melvin Cubian from Plantin. While underwatering can manifest the same symptoms due to the water-starved aerial parts, he adds.
Checking the soil before picking up the watering can is all you need to do to know how to water your houseplants right. I used to water all of my plants on a set schedule, which meant I did it every time and at the same time. This isn’t the best way to keep your plant moist, though, because different plants hold water at different levels and need to be watered at different times.
If you want to water plants, you should check the soil with your fingers or a soil moisture meter. Melvin says that if the topsoil is relatively less moist or almost dry, it needs a deep soak to make sure the whole root system is hydrated. This cycle can last up to a week, but because weather can change quickly or slowly, it’s always a good idea to check the level of moisture in the topsoil.
I would be lost without my soil moisture meter, which I got from Amazon. I use it to make sure my plants are still moist every time I water them. This means I now never let my Chinese evergreen become too wet or too dry.
Melvin is a certified gardening and plant care expert at PlantIn, a company that helps people who want to plant and garden in a personalized way. He is also currently studying for his masters degree in Plant Health.
Aglaonema leaves turning yellow
FAQ
What does an overwatered Chinese Evergreen look like?
Should I remove yellow leaves from a Chinese money plant?
How often should I water my Chinese Evergreen?
Why are my Chinese Aglaonema leaves turning yellow?
The two most common issues you might have wit the Chinese evergreens are yellow leaves and brown tips. Yellow Leaves: If you notice that the usually lush green leaves of the aglaonema are turning yellow, that could be a result of overwatering. Soggy soil leads to root rot that causes the leaves to turn yellow.
Why do Chinese evergreen leaves turn yellow?
This popular indoor plant is known for its ease of care and ability to thrive in low-light conditions. Yellow leaves usually signify that the plant isn’t getting enough light, water, or nutrition. The good news is that most of these issues are easily fixable. Here are some common reasons why your Chinese Evergreen leaves might turn yellow.
How do you know if a Chinese evergreen is dying?
Chinese Evergreens prefer temperatures between 60-75°F. If the temperature drops below this range, the leaves may turn yellow and drop. Keep your plant away from cold drafts or hot, dry air. Examine the leaves, stems, and roots for obvious signs of infestation, such as webbing, brown spots, or wilting.
Why are my Chinese evergreen leaves turning black?
Bacterial blight occurs when you overwater your Chinese evergreen. The leaves start getting yellow and then develop black spots on the leaves. If this is the case with your Chinese evergreen, you must isolate the plant and prune all the affected parts of the plant.
Why is my Chinese evergreen wilting?
Low temperatures can cause the leaves of your Chinese Evergreen to wilt and change color. Again, in this case, this factor derives from the fact that this plant is native to warm geographical areas. A frost – or temperatures dropping below 12℃ (55℉) – can cause your plant to perish.
How do you know if a Chinese evergreen plant needs water?
To start, check your plant’s soil for dryness. Chinese Evergreens prefer the soil to be slightly moist but not soggy. The easiest way to check for underwatering is to stick your finger a few inches into the soil. If the soil feels dry, your plant likely needs water, hence the yellow leaves.