Aglaonema Varieties Ranked — Best Chinese Evergreens for Every Light Level

Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema) come in dozens of colorful varieties. Learn which varieties suit low, medium, and bright light, and discover the newest pink and red cultivars. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Aglaonema has over 100 cultivated varieties ranging from classic green to vibrant pink, red, and white. Traditional green varieties like 'Silver Bay' and 'Maria' tolerate the lowest light conditions. Pink and red varieties like 'Siam Aurora', 'Valentine', and 'Lady Valentine' need brighter light for best color. Newer Thai hybrids push color boundaries with neon pink, orange, and multicolored leaf patterns. All Aglaonema are exceptionally low maintenance making them perfect office and apartment plants. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: Color intensity in pink and red varieties depends on light exposure — more light equals more vivid color. Green varieties have more chlorophyll making them more shade-tolerant than heavily pigmented cultivars. Thai hybridization programs have produced increasingly vivid and unusual color combinations. The natural resilience of the genus means even colorful varieties tolerate less-than-ideal conditions. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: For low light, choose green varieties like Silver Bay, Maria, or Emerald Beauty. For medium light, try Silver Queen, Golden Fluorite, or Wishes which show some variegation. For bright indirect light, grow pink and red varieties like Siam Aurora, Valentine, or Red Anjamani. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry — Aglaonema tolerate some drought between waterings. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer with balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

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