Cold stress or overwatering
Widespread yellowing on a Chinese Evergreen usually traces back to a cold draft or soggy roots.
Diagnosis
Cold stress or overwatering
What's happening
Aglaonema is sensitive to cold and dislikes anything below about 60°F, so a chilly window, an AC vent, or a cold draft can yellow many leaves at once. The other common cause is advanced overwatering, where rotting roots can no longer feed the plant, so the roots are always worth checking too.
How to fix it
First move the plant away from cold windows, doors, and vents, and keep it in a warm, stable spot above 60°F. Then check the soil and roots: if they're wet or rotting, treat it as overwatering — dry the plant out, trim away mushy roots, and repot into fresh mix. Warmth plus correct watering lets healthy new leaves come in green.
What fixes it
- A soil moisture meter — A moisture meter confirms whether soggy roots are part of the problem before you repot.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Chinese Evergreen care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this