The Aglaonema Silver Bay, commonly known as Chinese evergreen, has vibrantly patterned leaves that brighten up any room. This easy-going plant can tolerate low light and a missed watering or two, making it a great addition even to dimly lit rooms.
As an added bonus to their easy care and beautiful foliage, Aglaonema are known for their air purification qualities and clear the air of benzene and formaldehyde.
This guide is specific to Aglaonema Silver Bay care. For other plant specific care guides, check here.
| Name | Aglaonema “Silver Bay” Chinese evergreen, Lucky plant |
| Sunlight | Partial shade, indirect light |
| Water | Once every 1 to 2 weeks Check that the soil is dry before watering |
| Temperature | 65 – 85 °F (18 – 29 °C) Do not keep in temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C). |
| Humidity | Medium to high humidity |
| Propagation | By cuttings or division |
| Toxicity | Toxic to dogs, cats and humans |
Aglaonema Silver Bay Care Indoors:
Aglaonema Silver Bay Size & Growth
This fast-growing houseplant is native to tropical regions of Asia.
Aglaonema come in a variety of sizes, ranging from large, floor plants to small, tabletop plants. The whole plant can grow up to 4 feet tall. While Chinese evergreen can survive in low light, it grows much faster with bright, indirect light.
Aglaonema has oval, variegated leaves that are dark green to silver in color. Each leaf can grow up to 1 foot long. As the plant grows, the lower leaves turn yellow and droop- don’t worry this is a natural process and nothing has to be done.
This plant only blooms in perfect conditions, which rarely occurs while indoors. The flower is a light green spathe with a white spadix. You can snip the flower off when you see it to help conserve the plant’s energy.
Aglaonema Silver Bay Light Needs
Chinese evergreen thrive with indirect light. An East or West facing window is best because it provides enough light without burning the plant. This makes them great additions to darker bedrooms or offices that may not receive enough light for other plants.
Most importantly, avoid keeping your Chinese evergreen in direct sunlight because that causes leaf sunburn. Sunburn leads to brown spots on the leaves that do not go away.
If you notice the leaves have sunburn, move the plant farther away from the window, or cover the window with a sheer curtain. Leaf burn is especially common if the plant is kept in front of south-facing windows as they provide very bright light.
Rotate the plant every few days so each side receives adequate sunlight and grows evenly. Uneven growth means one side is receiving more light than the other. Dust the leaves frequently so the plant can absorb the nutrients it needs.
Aglaonema Silver Bay Watering
Water Aglaonema thoroughly, but allow the soil to dry out completely in between watering. Only water until the soil is moist because soaking wet soil can lead to rot.
When it is time to water, pour the water on the soil at the base of the plant. Do not let water sit on the leaves. If there is a saucer under the pot, empty out the collected water so the roots do not stay wet for long.
Over watering leads to root rot, which is common with these plants. Signs of root rot include: yellow leaves that drop off, and limp, brown stems. Plant the Aglaonema in a pot with a drainage hole and use a well-draining soil mix with perlite.
On the other hand, a limp, droopy plant may be a sign of under watering. Check the soil- if it is dry, it is time to water.
Water your Aglaonema once every 1 to 2 weeks and adjust the frequency as needed. As with other houseplants, if the Aglaonema is in a warmer, brighter room it requires more frequent watering than one in a cooler, darker room.
Aglaonema Silver Bay Soil
To avoid root rot, Aglaonema should be potted in a well-draining houseplant potting soil. Adding perlite and orchid bark to the soil creates a well-draining mix and reduces the risk of rot.
Aglaonema Silver Bay Temperature
Aglaonema thrive in temperatures between 65 – 85 °F (18 – 29 °C). Do not keep in temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C).
While Aglaonema Silver Bay are tropical plants, they can tolerate drier air fine. That said, they will thrive with higher humidity and would love a humidifier nearby.
Avoid placing the plant near air-conditioning vents or heaters as they dry up the surrounding air. Also avoid cold drafts or sudden temperature changes as these can lead to plant shock.
Learn more about plant shock here
Repotting Aglaonema Silver Bay
Repot Aglaonema Silver Bay once every 2 years. Repot when roots poke through the soil, or the growth has slowed down.
Choosing a pot
When repotting, chose a terracotta pot with a drainage hole because it provides good airflow and prevents over watering.
Choose a pot that is no more than one to two inches larger in diameter than the current one. A pot that is too large retains excess water and drowns the roots.
Carefully remove the plant from the old pot and loosen the soil from the roots. With a clean pair of garden shears or scissors, prune any rotten or damaged roots. Fill the new pot with fresh, well-draining potting soil and secure the houseplant in place. Wait a week after repotting before watering again to give the plant time to settle in it’s new home.
Aglaonema Silver Bay Fertilization
This houseplant does not require regular fertilization. However if you do want to fertilize, use a general houseplant fertilizer once a month in the spring and summer.
Take care not to over fertilize because it can burn the roots. If you notice salt buildup, avoid fertilizing for a few months and thoroughly water the plant to flush out the salts.
Aglaonema Silver Bay Propagation
Chinese evergreen can be propagated by cuttings or by division.
Propagation by cutting
- With clean scissors, take a stem cutting that is several inches long.
- Fill a vase with room temperature water. Place the new cutting in the vase and let it sit for a few weeks. Keep the vase in a warm area with indirect light to help promote growth.
- Change the water out frequently.
- Once the plant has a strong root system, transfer your cutting to a small pot and care for the plant as normal.
Note: warmer weather helps speed up the propagation process. Propagate in the summer or keep the cutting somewhere warm for best results.
Propagating by division
Propagation by division is useful if your plant has grown large and needs to be shaped up. Simply remove the larger, mature plant from it’s pot, carefully separate the roots to divide the plant, then repot the “new”, smaller plants into smaller pots.
If the roots are tangled together, use a sharp, clean knife to help gently separate the root system.
Aglaonema Silver Bay Toxicity
Like other members of the Araceae plant family, the Chinese evergreen contains calcium oxalate crystals, making it toxic to pets and children. The plant can cause gastrointestinal discomfort if eaten. Wear gloves when handling this houseplant to avoid skin irritation.
What to do about infestations
Examine your Aglaonema and any surrounding plants frequently for signs of infestation. Pests can spread quickly so stopping them early is key. If you suspect your Aglaonema has pests, quarantine it so the infestation does not spread to any neighboring plants.
Signs of pests:
- Cotton-white webbing
- Misshaped new growth
- Holes in the leaves
- Black spots or mold like substance
Wash the plant under a strong stream of water with an insecticidal soap. Spray the plant with rubbing alcohol or diluted neem oil.
Continue to spray once every three to four days until all signs of the infestation are gone, which may take several weeks.
Other Aglaonema Varieties
If you love Silver Bay, you may be fond of other Aglaonema varieties, including: Silver Queen, Roebellini, Maria, Slam Red, Golden Bay, Romeo, First Diamond, and Emerald Beauty (just to name a few).
Common Aglaonema Silver Bay Care Problems
1. Aglaonema leaves turning yellow
Yellow Aglaonema Silver Bay leaves may be due to:
- Over watering: the most common cause of yellow leaves is over watering. Gently remove the plant from the soil and cut off any rotten roots (they are black and mushy). If the rot has progressed into the stem, cut off the stem until you have clean tissue without any signs of rot. Wash the pot with soap and water, then plant the Aglaonema in new well-draining soil. Avoid watering for several weeks while the plant recovers.
- Insufficient light: low light can lead to yellow leaves. Ensure the plant is receiving bright, indirect light.
- Pest infestation: check your plant closely for signs of infestation and follow the steps above to remove them.
- Transplant shock: shock is likely if you recently brought home your Aglaonema from the nursery or repotted it in a new container. Give the plant time to adjust to it’s new environment.
- Natural aging: if only a few bottom leaves are turning yellow, this is a part of the natural aging process. Snip them off to keep the plant looking tidy.
2. Aglaonema Silver Bay leaves have brown and crispy tips
Brown, crispy Aglaonema Silver Bay leaves may be due to:
- Dry air: if your room is dry, place a humidifier nearby or mist the surrounding air frequently with a spray bottle.
- Under watering: check the top few inches of soil frequently and water when dry. You may need to increase your watering frequency.
- Too much sunlight: ensure your Aglaonema is not receiving direct sunlight and is sheltered from harsh, bright light.
- Natural aging: if it is only the bottom leaves that are browning, this is a part of the natural aging process. Snip them off to keep the plant looking tidy.
3. Aglaonema Silver Bay has limp and drooping leaves
Drooping Aglaonema Silver Bay leaves may be due to:
- Over watering: can lead to leaf droop. Check if the soil feels wet and let it dry completely before watering.
- Under watering: limp leaves may also be due to under watering. If the top layer of soil is dry, give the plant a good watering and it should perk up within a day or two
In summary for Aglaonema Silver Bay care…
Aglaonema Silver Bay/Chinese evergreen is an easy going houseplant with beautiful leaf variegation that brightens up any space, whether as a tabletop centerpiece or floor plant in a bedroom. If you provide this houseplant with indirect light, high humidity, and water when the soil is dry, it will reward you with beautiful foliage.
Have more questions about Aglaonema Silver Bay Care? Let me know in the comments below!
