Garden Care Guide

Chinese Evergreen Care

Aglaonema spp.

Likes indirect, bright light and well-drained soil. It should be protected from direct sun and drafts. A decorative, air-purifying houseplant.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 10 °C / 50 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: As the soil dries out thoroughly (~0.2 L/10-15 days).
  • Pruning: Remove only leaves that are drying/yellowing.
  • Plant protection: Not done if there are no pests.
  • General care: Wipe the dust off the leaves and keep the plant away from heaters.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for mealybugs and root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
February
  • Watering: As the soil dries out thoroughly (~0.2 L/10-15 days).
  • Pruning: Remove only leaves that are drying/yellowing.
  • Plant protection: Not done if there are no pests.
  • General care: Wipe the dust off the leaves and prepare for repotting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for mealybugs and root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
March
  • Watering: As the soil surface dries (~0.3 L/week).
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Remove the drying leaves.
  • Plant protection: If needed, use neem oil against mealybugs.
  • General care: If needed, repot or propagate from cuttings.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for pests that are waking up (mealybugs).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, a balanced NPK liquid fertilizer (half strength); do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Remove the drying leaves.
  • Plant protection: If needed, use neem oil against mealybugs.
  • General care: A suitable time for propagation.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for mealybugs and aphids.
  • Frost risk: Watch for sudden cold snaps.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, balanced NPK liquid fertilizer at full strength; do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Remove only yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Against spider mites and mealybugs (abamectin/neem oil).
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for spider mites (leaf undersides).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, balanced NPK liquid fertilizer at full strength; do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Remove only yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Against spider mites and mealybugs (abamectin/neem oil).
  • General care: Wipe the dust off the leaves and humidify.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for spider mites and fungal diseases.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, balanced NPK liquid fertilizer at full strength; do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Remove only yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Against spider mites and mealybugs (abamectin/neem oil).
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for spider mites and heat stress.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, balanced NPK liquid fertilizer at full strength; do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Remove only yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Against spider mites and mealybugs (abamectin/neem oil).
  • General care: Increase leaf humidity and pay attention to ventilation.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for spider mites and fungal spotting.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, a balanced NPK liquid fertilizer (half strength); do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Remove drying leaves.
  • Plant protection: Check for pests at the change of season and treat if necessary.
  • General care: Move the plant to a brighter location for the winter.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for mealybugs and root rot.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: At the end of the month, stop fertilizing. Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: Remove drying leaves.
  • Plant protection: Not done if there are no pests.
  • General care: Adjust its position before the heaters start running.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for root rot and mealybugs.
  • Frost risk: Protect it from cold drafts.
November
  • Watering: As the soil dries out thoroughly (~0.2 L/10-15 days).
  • Pruning: Remove only leaves that are drying/yellowing.
  • Plant protection: Not done if there are no pests.
  • General care: Wipe the dust off the leaves and keep the plant away from heaters.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for mealybugs and root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
December
  • Watering: As the soil dries out thoroughly (~0.2 L/10-15 days).
  • Pruning: Remove only leaves that are drying/yellowing.
  • Plant protection: Not done if there are no pests.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for mealybugs and root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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