Aglaonema plants, often known as Chinese evergreens, are prized for their striking foliage. Their leaves come in several shapes, colors, and variegated patterns. Aglaonema foliage can range from green to yellow, red, and even pink. Some cultivars also sport splashes of silver. Aglaonema plants hail from tropical parts of Asia, mainly in China or the Philippines. Aglaonemas are pretty easy to grow, but they do have some particular temperature and humidity requirements that will explore in detail in this essential guide.
- Aglaonema Plant Temperature & Humidity Tolerances – The Essentials
- Typical Temperature & Humidity Ranges Aglaonema Plants Receive in Their Native Habitats
- Signs That Your Aglaonema Plant Is Exposed to the Wrong Temperature & Humidity
- Ideal Temperature & Humidity Considerations for Aglaonema Plants
- How to Boost Humidity in Your Home
- Caring for Aglaonema Plants in Spring & Summer
- Caring for Aglaonema Plants During Winter
- Aglaonema Plant Temperature & Humidity Tolerances FAQs:
- Wrapping Up
Aglaonema Plant Temperature & Humidity Tolerances – The Essentials
Aglaonema plants need warm, humid conditions to thrive. These tropical houseplants really don’t cope with the cold. Anything below 60ºF (15ºC) will cause problems. Chinese evergreens do best in temperatures ranging from 65ºF to 80ºF (18 to 26.5ºC). Aglaonema plants require 60 to 70% humidity.
Typical Temperature & Humidity Ranges Aglaonema Plants Receive in Their Native Habitats
Aglaonema plants are indigenous to the tropical forests of Asia, especially in parts of China and the Philippines. These forests create warm conditions with high humidity levels – perfect for Chinese evergreens. These habitats also provide a lot of shade and moist soil.
Wild Aglaonema plants absorb moisture from the air through their foliage. This means that humidity levels in an Aglaonemas native habitat often rise above 70%. The tropical forests in this region usually experience temperatures somewhere between 68 to 84ºF (20 to 29ºC).
Although our homes can’t quite replicate these conditions, Chinese evergreens should be placed in the warmest spot available. They also benefit from nearby humidifiers or regular misting to keep the humidity high.
Signs That Your Aglaonema Plant Is Exposed to the Wrong Temperature & Humidity
Depending on the conditions of your home, it can be challenging to provide the proper temperatures and humidity for Aglaonema plants. There are a few signs to look for that indicate that Aglaonema plants aren’t getting enough warmth or humidity.
Curling leaves
One of the most evident indications that these plants aren’t warm or humid enough is curling leaves. Curling leaves on an Aglaonema plant can be caused by insufficient humidity or temperature levels. This can also be a sign of overwatering or underwatering, but feeling the soil can eliminate this possibility. If the soil feels slightly moist, then the leaves are curling because of a lack of humidity and warmth.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves are another sign that an Aglaonema plant is too dry. Again, this can also mean that the plant is being overwatered or underwatered, so check the soil as well. Keep an eye out for common aglaonema pests, bugs, and diseases that also cause the plant to display signs of weakness or poor health.
Signs of Underwatering
An underwatered Aglaonema also won’t be getting enough humidity. Common signs of underwatering include crispy or brown leaf tips and yellowing leaves. When you water Aglaoneam plants, give them a quick mist as well.
Ideal Temperature & Humidity Considerations for Aglaonema Plants
The ideal temperature levels for Aglaonema plants range from 65ºF to 80ºF. For most Aglaonema owners, average household room temperatures should be sufficient. If you live in a colder area, you’ll probably need to place your Chinese evergreen in a conservatory if you can.
Aglaonema plants need high humidity levels – usually between 60 and 70%. Steamy bathrooms create the ideal conditions for these tropical houseplants. The humidity is naturally higher in a bathroom, especially when you have a shower. Make sure that the temperature in your bathroom is high enough as well.
Thermometers and hydrometers can help you meet the temperature and humidity requirements of your Aglaonema plant. Before bringing home a Chinese evergreen, it’s a good idea to test various spots in your home. This helps you identify the ideal location for the Aglaonema plant.
Aglaonema plants are susceptible to cold drafts. This rules out windowsills as a potential location because the plant will be exposed to drafts. Avoid drafts from radiators, heaters, or air conditioning units because this can make the air extremely dry. Areas with high foot traffic, such as doorways also create drafts, making them unsuitable for Chinese evergreens.
East or south-facing rooms should help provide enough warmth for Aglaonema plants but may overpower the plant with too much bright, indirect light. Chinese evergreens prefer partially shadier conditions, so east or west-facing rooms should provide a sweet spot between temperature and light. For more, see our in-depth guide to where to position aglaonema plants in the home.
How to Boost Humidity in Your Home
If the typical humidity in your home isn’t high enough for Aglaonema plants, there are a few ways to boost it. One of the most common methods is misting the leaves of Chinese evergreens. This can help but isn’t a permanent solution. Misting should be done once every few days, with a higher frequency during the summer.
One of the best ways to increase humidity around Aglaonema plants is to use humidifiers. These can be purchased fairly cheaply and are a better long-term solution. Electric humidifiers are usually the best option. Using a humidifier provides benefits for us as well.
When we talk about increasing humidity, we’re basically trying to create a microclimate around tropical plants. A great way to do this is to group houseplants with similar humidity needs together. As water evaporates from each plant, the local humidity around the group increases. Try positioning Aglaonema plants next to other tropical houseplants.
Another good way of increasing humidity for Aglaonema plants is to use a pebble tray. Fill a shallow tray with small pebbles and place the Aglaonema on top in its nursery pot. Then fill the tray up with water, but make sure the water level stays below the pebbles. Over time, the water will evaporate and boost the humidity around the Chinese evergreen.
Humidity levels will naturally be higher in certain rooms, such as bathrooms. Kitchens can also be fairly humid. Put an Aglaonema plant in the bathroom to give it as much humidity as possible. Conservatories and sunrooms can also be good spots as long as there are shaded corners for the Aglaonema.
Ultimately, providing the proper humidity levels for Aglaonema plants will probably require a combination of these methods.
(Editors Note: Petal Republic participates in partnership programs with Amazon and other merchants to help connect readers with relevant products and services we may recommend).
Caring for Aglaonema Plants in Spring & Summer
Aglaonema plants will enjoy warmer temperatures during spring and summer. But if you live in an arid region, the summer heat also makes it easier for these plants to get too dry. If you’re growing Chinese evergreens, keeping the humidity up during hot weather is a major requirement.
Mist the plant more regularly and use pebble trays or humidifiers to maintain humidity. In areas that experience really high temperatures, it can be too hot for Aglaonema plants. Place Chinese evergreens in a shadier spot to help keep them from getting too warm.
Now’s also the best season to consider fertilizing your aglaonema plants.
Caring for Aglaonema Plants During Winter
Winter poses two problems for Chinese evergreens. Not only will it be colder for the plants, but winter air can also be quite dry. This is especially true when we use radiators and heaters in our homes.
Aglaonema plants will naturally go dormant during the winter, meaning that they should be watered less frequently. But they still need to be kept warm. Maintain household temperatures at the correct level and make sure to keep the Aglaonema plant away from cold drafts.
Aglaonema Plant Temperature & Humidity Tolerances FAQs:
Can Aglaonema plants tolerate cold?
Aglaonema plants don’t handle cold temperatures well. These tropical plants need to be kept warm, usually somewhere between 65ºF and 80ºF. Anything below 60ºF is too cold for them.
Can Aglaonema plants live outside?
Aglaonema plants prefer shady, tropical conditions when growing outside. Most areas won’t be able to provide enough warmth, especially during the winter. It is possible to grow Chinese evergreens outside in humid, warm areas like the Southern states.
Do Aglaonema plants need misting?
Aglaonema plants need high humidity levels to grow well. Misting Aglaonema plants is one of the easiest ways to increase humidity and should be done every two or three days. Mist more regularly during the summer.
Wrapping Up
Aglaonema plants are gorgeous bushy houseplants that can brighten up any indoor space. Although Chinese evergreens are fairly easy to care for, they can be a bit fussy about temperature and humidity. To keep these tropical beauties happy, give them temperatures ranging from 65ºF to 80ºF. Aglaonema plants also need humid conditions – ideally somewhere between 60 and 70% humidity.
If you’re looking to add your next Aglaonema plant to your collection, see our in-depth guide to the best plant shops delivering Chinese Evergreens nationwide.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
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