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Aglaonema silver bay, also known as Chinese evergreen, is known for the striking variegation on its leaves. This plant is insanely easy to care for, making it perfect for beginners.
It was one of the first plants I learned how to grow many years ago and that same plant is still going strong to this day. In this post, I’ll discuss caring for and propagation this incredible plant.
The Chinese evergreen is native to tropical regions of Asia and New Guinea. It is a low-maintenance and relatively fast-growing plant if given ideal conditions.
Mine grows a new leaf almost every week. However, don’t stress if your plant is growing more slowly. Chances are it’s a case of low light, and these plants can still thrive in low light!
Foliage and Blooms
Aglaonema stems are short with pointed, oval leaves that unfurl from the center and grow outwards. The leaves can grow to be around 9 to 12 inches long, while the whole plant can get around four feet tall.
The stems and leaves are both glossy, and the variegated leaves have different combinations of dark green to light green to silver colors.
The lower leaves may turn droopy and yellow and start to die. Don’t panic, this is a natural part of the plant’s process, and dying leaves are frequently replaced by new ones.
This plant occasionally blooms a spathe and spadix. If your plant does bloom, you should consider cutting them off as the blooms can suck away energy from the rest of the plant.
Where Can I Find a Chinese Evergreen?
You can find a stunning Chinese evergreen for yourself on Etsy! Check out this beautiful Chinese evergreen from one of my favorite Etsy shops!
How Do I Care for a Chinese Evergreen?
My Chinese evergreen is a hand-me-down from my mom and has been ridiculously easy to take care of.
I’ve always felt like they aren’t given enough credit, but if you own one you know how beautiful and low-maintenance they really are.
The basic care requirements are:
- Water when the top two inches of the soil is dry
- Provide with medium to bright, indirect light (but they can still live in low light)
- Use a well-draining potting mix
Read on for all the important tips!
Soil
As long as it’s a well-draining mix no other special potting mix is needed for this plant. I always like to add a handful or two of perlite into my potting mix for extra drainage.
Light
Part of what makes Chinese evergreens so easy to care for is that while they thrive in bright to medium, indirect light, they still tend to do well in low light.
Mine currently receives medium, indirect light and at my old place, my plant received almost no sunlight at all and did just fine under the big kitchen fluorescent light.
It can be tricky to determine the light levels around your home. Check out my easy guide to natural light for houseplants for help with this.
While these plants will grow well in low light, grow lights can be very helpful in getting plants to thrive to their full potential.
These grow lights have been some of my absolute favorites for years now. I highly recommend them!
Water
You should water this plant when the top two inches of the soil is dry.
If it’s kept too wet, the leaves may start to turn yellow and drop off (but note that it’s normal for the bottom-most leaves to eventually yellow and die). If it’s kept REALLY wet, you might be at risk for root rot.
I water mine about every one to two weeks, and even less in the winter.
If your plant is looking a bit droopy that can be a sign that it needs a good watering, so be sure to feel the soil with your finger to confirm. As with all houseplants, those kept in brighter light will need to be watered more often and vice versa.
Humidity
Because Aglaonemas are native to tropical regions, they also like humidity. There are a few ways to provide humidity to houseplants, but I really like using a humidifier because it’s easy and lasts a while. This is one of my favorite humidifiers because it can last a full day.
Buy an Aglaonema silver bay here!
Repotting
Aglaonema silver bay typically needs to be repotted every one to two years, but this depends on how fast it’s growing.
So, instead of repotting it on a schedule, repot it when it becomes root bound. Signs of a root-bound plant include roots coming out of the drainage holes, stunted growth, and roots swirling heavily around the bottom of the pot.
Lately, I have been repotting mine every two years or so. Be sure to choose a pot that’s the next size up from its current pot and has drainage.
I really love terra cotta pots because they dry out quicker putting your plant at less risk of root rot!
Pruning
Pruning is not required except to remove any dead or dying leaves, such as the bottom leaves of the plant that yellow and die (and note that this is normal for the bottom-most leaves to yellow eventually).
You should be able to gently pull the dying leaves right off.
Fertilizer
I don’t fertilize this plant. In my experience, they don’t need it to thrive, but if you’d like to fertilize yours, you can use a general houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength, once a month during the growing season (the spring and summer).
How to Propagate Chinese Evergreens
Division
Aglaonemas can be easily propagated by division.
- Remove the plant from its pot.
- Find a section with its own root system and gently separate it from the rest.
- The roots on a Chinese evergreen can get thick, so if you need help separating it be sure to use a clean, sharp knife to separate the roots. Just try to keep the root system as undamaged as possible.
- Plant this newly divided plant into its own pot with potting mix, water it, and care for it how you normally would. Give it a period to adjust to it’s new home and start growing again.
It’s that simple!
Stem Cutting
Alternatively, you can also propagate this plant with a stem cutting.
- Using a clean pair of plant shears, cut below a node (where leaves meet the stem) on a healthy stem that has at least a few leaves already.
- Plant that into moistened potting mix. Alternatively, you can put the cutting in water and grow roots that way before planting it into potting mix (wait for the roots to grow around three inches long).
- Give it bright, indirect light and keep the potting mix moist as the roots develop.
- After a few weeks, you can test if a root system has developed by giving the cutting a gentle tug and feeling for resistance. If so, you can start caring for it like a normal plant.
Additional Information
- If you need another reason to add a Chinese evergreen to your collection, they are considered good luck—it’s actually nicknamed the Lucky Plant.
- This plant is toxic to animals, so be sure to keep it away from your curious furry friends!
- Rotate your Chinese evergreen so that the leaves will grow evenly on all sides.
Buy an Aglaonema silver bay here!
More Aglaonema Posts
Karen says
I got my Silver Bay from from a basket at my father’s funeral 5 years ago. I love it. It had several babies, which I separated and gave to good homes. This is a beautiful plant and I am very glad to have read the information you have here about caring for this plant. Thank you.
Julie of Sprouts and Stems says
Hi Karen – I feel like Silver Bays are so underrated and I don’t know why! I love mine and I’m glad you love yours too. Also, plants that have memories attached are the best ones. I inherited a Prayer Plant from my grandfather and it’s my favorite plant I own. I’m sure your plant from your father’s funeral is very special to you too 🙂
Sam says
Hi!! Love your post! I was wondering if it’s normal for the leaves to be super droopy? My plant is droopy, but it seems super healthy! I’m also wondering how to make it grow at a faster rate? Thanks 🙂
Julie of Sprouts and Stems says
Hi Sam – So glad you enjoyed my post! Hmm, it can be hard to say without a picture, but when mine is droopy that usually tells me it needs to be watered. I’ve also noticed that the bottom leaves might droop and fall off after a while which is normal. As for growing faster–you could experiment with fertilizer but I don’t fertilize mine so I can’t speak too much to that (and hey, slow and steady wins the race, right?) 😉
Lauren says
Hi! The leaves on my plant are also droopy, yet very healthy and vibrant. It even just bloomed two “flowers” and. A new leaf all at the same time. With that being said, I think heat in the home is the cause. They started drooping late fall when I started putting the heat on, however I mist them often to help with humidity. This is just my theory but I hope it helps! ?
Jenna says
I think it’s actually a naturally droopy plant, especially if you mean the bottom leaves. The one I have on my desk in my office is about 50% droopy and 50% perky!
I water it when it feels light for the size of the pot, which is plastic with holes at the bottom for drainage. I have it sitting in a nice container to keep my desk dry.
Hope this helps!
Sandra says
These plants are basically indestructible, the foliage is stunning and I totally agree with a previous post, totally underrated. Thanks for the info!!
Julie says
Hi Sandra – Thanks for your comment and I’m glad you liked the post 🙂 You’re so right—these plants are indestructible!
Rain says
Basically unless you are me. I have one stalk with no leaves and it still hasn’t re-bloomed any more leaves atleast 4 weeks post it losing all leaves. Any suggestions?
Ron Ripley says
Hi Julie. Amazingly, I have had my Silver Bay Aglaonema for 30 years. It isn’t as robust as it once was, but after a recent repotting, I am hopeful that it will last a while longer. New leaf growth is good, but they tend to curl as if needing water, when they don’t. I watch the plant closely for signs of scale, which doesn’t seem to be the issue. The plant is old now, of course. Any thoughts on the reason for leaf curling? Thank you. –Ron
Julie says
Hi Ron – WOW, 30 years? Referring back to an earlier comment, these plants are indestructible!
Hmm, that’s interesting about the new leaves. You say your plant doesn’t need water, so is it possible it’s been overwatered? How’s the drainage in the new pot? It *could* be a sign of root rot, but you’ve been caring for this plant for so long, I’m not sure that’s definitely it. My other guess would be shock from being repotted, especially if it had been living in the previous pot for a while. Good luck! I hope to have mine for 30 years, too 🙂
Bonnie says
My plant is 13 years old. It has three stems, but they are bare except for the top. I put it outside this summer with really good light and new growth has sprouted. What do I do with the original three that are so bare? The stems are tied together because they just kept falling over. I feel I have done this plant an injustice with poor care!
Julie says
Hi Bonnie – So, from what I understand you have three nearly bare stems but new growth has sprouted from new, separate stems? I must admit can be hard to tell what’s wrong without seeing the plant but since you say that the new growth has sprouted outside in good light, I’m thinking it’s possible that the plant has been overwatered and is now having more of a chance to dry out with the increase of light. Also, if the current pot is too big it’s easier to overwater the plant because the potting mix will hold more moisture. The fact that the plant is still sprouting new growth is a good sign, so don’t lose hope! For the bare stems, you could try cutting off the tops about two inches below the leaves and seeing if they will root in potting mix or water. Wishing you the best!
Esma says
Hello i fertilized my Chinese evergreen plant and it begun to die . How can I save it from dyeing
Julie says
Hi Esma – There are many things that can kill a plant. If (I say if because I don’t know if this is the case with you) you’ve only fertilized your plant once before it started to die, then it’s unlikely that’s the cause. However, if you know for a fact that you have over-fertilized your plant, you can try flushing out the excess fertilizer with water. Bring it to a sink, shower, hose, etc. and thoroughly flush out the soil a few times, letting it drain in between. Good luck with your plant!
Serna says
Thanks for the tips Ms Julie but I would like to know if silver bay agloanema plants attract from pest? Like gnats and others
Julie says
Hi Serna – Common pests for this plant include spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids, but in my experience, I wouldn’t say they attract pests any more than other houseplants. Keeping your plants as healthy as possible will make them less susceptible to pests, and be sure thoroughly examine new plants for pests before you bring them into your home.
Meriam says
Great read. Thanks for posting. I just purchased one about two months ago and it continues to put out new leaves (yay!) but they are small. Is it because it’s too far away from a window?
Julie says
Hi Meriam – Thanks for your comment! It could be that your plant is too far away from the light source, but these plants typically still do OK in low light. Another possibility is overwatering. Or, if it’s simply a younger plant, it’s normal to not put out big leaves yet. Good luck with your new plant!
Cindy Kalior says
There is one leaf that will not unfurl, it’s been weeks.
Julie says
Hi Cindy – Sometimes this happens when the plant needs more humidity. Also, since it’s currently fall going into winter, it’s possible the plant has just slowed down its growth. However, don’t worry too much about one leaf. It happens!
Obetz says
Is it normal for my plant to have dew on its leaves? I keep noticing it and not sure why it does this or if it’s healthy. Also, some leaves have spots wherein it looks rotten. Is this fungus? How to cure?
Julie says
Hi Obetz – Regarding the dew: It is most likely just transpiration (the plant releasing water) which is totally normal. I occasionally see this on mine.
Regarding the spots: Unfortunately, I can’t accurately diagnose problems without seeing a photo, it’s very difficult! It could be a fungus, which in that case I’d recommend getting a fungicide to treat it. Other things I recommend checking for: pests that might be hiding, and soaking-wet soil that can cause root rot. Wishing you luck with your plant!
Susan says
I’ve noticed recently that my new growth (the little pod like leaves before they open) is yellow instead of green, and then get kind of mushy. I have had the plant for months. It was originally on my lanai and its now inside getting indirect light. The plant is big and beautiful. Am I doing something wrong? I water about every 10 days or so.
Julie says
Hi Susan – Yellow leaves on this plant are a common sign of overwatering, and mushy leaves are consistent with that. Try adjusting your watering routine, especially now that the plant is getting less light indoors. Make sure you’re waiting until the top two inches or so of the soil are dry. Good luck!
Denise says
I have one in my bathroom which has a small window and gets very low light on cloudy winter days. Should I get artificial lighting for it?
Julie says
Hi Denise – These plants are usually fine in low light, but if you’d like it to grow faster I’d definitely try a grow light 🙂
MaryEllen Radobicky says
Hi, we just bought this plant and placed it near our baseboard heat, it’s about 6″ away, will that hurt this plant?
Julie says
Hi MaryEllen – Your plant might find the heated air to be too dry. However, these plants are pretty low maintenance. I would leave it there for a week or so and see what happens. If it starts to look a little crispy, perhaps try adding a humidifier close by.
Kim says
I just received a pretty large one in an 8-inch pot. It’s got to be about 2 1/2 feet tall (above the rim of the planter) at least. I think the seller may have overwatered it before shipping because all of the bottom leaves were yellowing to the point I had to cut them all. I’m hoping it’ll be fine now. I do see a couple more struggling leaves, but I don’t want to cut anymore. It’s also busting out of its pot, which is rather annoying (seller shipped it this way). I’m not used to repotting such a large plant, so this will be interesting. I’m hoping this can wait until Spring. Great information that will definitely help me care for this gorgeous plant. Thank you!
Julie says
Hi Kim – Sorry about that! Getting plants shipped in the mail is a gamble sometimes. Just one note, while it’s ideal to wait for the spring to repot, I typically do not wait if I have a plant that desperately needs to be repotted. Thanks so much and good luck with your plant!
sashini says
hi my plants bottom leaves are always turning yellow and falling off. this has been happening for sometime now to the point that there aren’t many leaves remaining. its kept in low light as I live in a tropical country and it gets hot. how can I help this
Julie says
Hi Sashini – It’s not uncommon for aglaonema’s bottom leaves to turn yellow and fall off, but if it’s happening a lot it’s a problem. There are many reasons for yellow leaves on plants but overwatering is a common cause, so I would start by evaluating your watering routine. Good luck!
Holly says
Hi Julie, I’ve had mine, from my mom, for about 12 years! The stems are huge and diameter of plant/leaves with stems falling over is is huge as well. (6ft) It’s in a 10.5 inch pot and I’m thinking will go to a 12 inch…Thoughts? What should I use to tie the stems so won’t fall over? They’re heavy! There are some new stems I would like to pot separately. What size planter do you think I should start with? Thank you!
Holly says
Sorry- forgot to mention I last repotted the plant about 4 years ago..too long. ?
Julie - Houseplant Aficionado says
Hi Holly – It sounds like it’s definitely time to repot! It’s been a while since I repotted mine too. I usually go up about one size when I repot, but are you saying your plant is six feet tall (or wide maybe?)? Wow! You might need something bigger than 12 inches. I have two stems in one pot with a bunch of leaves each. I stuck some chopsticks into the center of the pot and wove some twine back and forth between stem, chopstick, other stem, and secured it that way. You might need something more heavy-duty than chopsticks, though! Maybe even a moss pole for lots of strong support. I’m not sure how large your new stems are, but perhaps try a pot that’s about half the size of the current pot? As long as it’s big enough to fit the stem but not so big that there will be lots of excess potting mix which will take a long time to dry out.
Holly says
Hi Julie, thank you! I ended up completely breaking down the plant about 3 weeks ago. The root ball was like a tree trunk… No joke. I’ve never seen anything like it! I ended up with like 16 stems LOL. So I maneuvered them apart, cut them and put 4-5 stems in my 4 large 12 inch pots. As of today, they are all thriving! I can’t believe it… I have the pots sitting outside on my balcony, I’m in Miami so the weather is perfect for them. Hot, humid and indirect sunlight. Thank you for your advice!
Patti Abel says
Hi Julie, I’ve just discovered your site – it is so helpful – thank you!
I received a silver bay from a friend a week ago. It appears to be a very healthy plant with beautiful leaves but it is not full. I wouldn’t call it scrawny but it certainly isn’t bushy. Could this be simply because it’s younger or are some plants just bushier than others?
Julie - Houseplant Aficionado says
Hi Patti – I’m so glad you found my site helpful! It could definitely be because it’s younger. Another suggestion is to try increasing light levels if you have it in low light. Even though this plant does well in any light level, plants will almost always grow more with increased light. Just make sure the light is indirect.
Patti Abel says
Thanks Julie!
Wendy says
Hi I’ve had my plant for 8 years. It has really prospered however not its dying really quickly. The soil has turned white onto like mildew or something. I’ve changed the soil and even tried MIRACLE Grow but nothing is helping. This is an SOS please Help. This plant belonged to my deceased daughter. I’ll just lose it if it completely dies.
Julie - Houseplant Aficionado says
Hi Wendy – I’m so sorry to hear this. My heart is with you.
Is the soil only white on the top layer? That is usually just mold that sometimes happens with overwatering but is harmless, it doesn’t mean your plant is dying. How does the plant itself look? Without knowing how your plant looks, my suggestions would be to put it in bright, indirect light if it’s not already and always stick your finger into the soil first, don’t water it if the top two inches are still wet. Your plant will be happier but also, mold and fungus thrive in wet, dark conditions so doing these two things should help. I cannot say for sure what kind of mold/fungus it might be but if you think it’s NOT harmless, you can also try using a fungicide (test it on a small section of your plant first to make sure it’s OK). Last, you said you repotted it already but if you noticed the roots looking black and mushy, it might be root rot. I’m not sure if this is the case with yours but it sometimes happens with overwatering. (Help with getting rid of root rot is here: https://sproutsandstems.com/signs-of-root-rot-on-houseplants-and-how-to-fix-it/). I’m sending you positive plant thoughts ?
Cyd says
Just ordered silver bay from Etsy. It is supposed to arrive just roots and stems. How deep should potting planter and soil be? Description states that plantings are mature. Just found your site and it is extremely welcomed.
Julie - Houseplant Aficionado says
Hi Cyd – I’m not sure the size of the plant you ordered, but the one I currently have is about 18 inches tall and it’s in a pot about eight inches wide and seven inches deep. Hope that helps and thanks for reading!
Marian says
HOW deep do these plants need to be potted. I have a pair of pots (about 5” deep) that I would love to use in a space without much light.
Would that work?
Julie - Houseplant Aficionado says
Hey Marian – I’m not sure how large your plant is. Five inches sounds kind of small but it could work for a smaller plant. Check out my reply to Cyd’s comment, it might help.
Cathy Fitzgerald says
Hello,
I have a Silver Bay plant that is doing very well, it even had 2 blooms on it that opened for about 2 days each. Now there are more blooms (I counted 6) but they are not opening, they stay closed then turn yellowish. I cut 2 off and the bloom inside has turned to brown mush. I can also see little seeds in the pod.
Any ideas on what this is and what to do going forward? I phoned the shop that it was purchased from and they said to try fertilizing it.
Julie - Houseplant Aficionado says
Hey Cathy – I usually just completely ignore the blooms and most of the time end up cutting them off! I don’t find them particularly attractive so I’m sorry to say I don’t have any tips on how to make the blooms open! They can sometimes end up sucking energy away from the rest of the plant so if you notice the rest of your plant looking a little sad, I would cut off the blooms.
Mary Beth says
Love your site! My plant is well over 8 years old and has grown up about 6 inches above the pot and is root bound. It’s in a 9 inch landscaping pot. Overall it is 2.5 feet wide with multiple root systems. I want to keep it together rather than separating them. If I get a 15 inch wide pot, how tall should it be. Is 15 inches tall too much?
Julie - Houseplant Aficionado says
Hi Mary Beth – Thank you so much! As long as the pot looks like it would fit your plant comfortably, then I would give it a shot. I have a plant that is nearly 2 feet wide and the pot is nine inches wide and nine inches deep. You definitely want to give your plant more space if it’s super rootbound, just as long as there’s not too much excess space which could lead to overwatering.
Jo says
My 8 year old silver bay that has always grown like crazy. Upto 4 feet wide and 3 1/2 feet tall. I just repotted it and now I am having trouble getting it to keep from leaning in the pot. I have tied it up, but will it ever stand straight up again? I wanted to send a picture but didn’t know how.
Julie - Houseplant Aficionado says
Hi Jo – It probably won’t be able to support itself unless you do some pruning to get rid of some weight. I wouldn’t worry too much about it unless it’s affecting the plant. I actually have mine tied up and supported, too!