Aglaonema Siam Aurora care is easy: bright, indirect light, water when the top 1 to 2 inches of mix are dry, warmth between 68 and 80°F, and no cold drafts. Clemson Extension lists ‘Siam Aurora’ among hybrid Chinese evergreens, with deep crimson in the veins and edges of green leaves. Singapore’s National Parks Board calls it easy to grow and tolerant of low light, but recommends bright diffused light for best results and warns that full sun scorches the leaves.
| Need | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Light | Variegated types need low to moderate (bright, indirect) light; no direct sun (Clemson). Best in bright diffused light; full sun scorches (NParks) |
| Water | Keep moist but not too wet; water when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry (Clemson) |
| Temperature | Best at 68 to 80°F; tolerates down to 55°F; chilling damage below 50°F (Clemson) |
| Humidity | Grows well at low to moderate household humidity (Clemson) |
| Soil | Standard soilless mix with extra humus, in a pot with drainage holes (Clemson) |
| Fertilizer | Light feeding; excessive fertilizer can burn leaf edges (Clemson) |
| Size | Up to 1.2 m with ample space, limited by pot size (NParks) |
| Pets | Toxic to dogs, cats and horses: insoluble calcium oxalates (ASPCA) |
Sources: Clemson HGIC 1500; NParks Flora and Fauna Web; NC State Extension; ASPCA: Chinese Evergreen.
What Is Aglaonema Siam Aurora?
‘Siam Aurora’ is a hybrid Chinese evergreen sold as red aglaonema or red Chinese evergreen. Clemson lists it with the hybrid cultivars, whose parents include A. crispum, A. commutatum, A. modestum and A. nitidum, and notes that some hybrids have no record of their parents. Many websites call it a cultivar of A. commutatum; that parentage is not documented by the sources we checked, so “hybrid Aglaonema ‘Siam Aurora'” is the safer name.
NParks describes a compact, low-growing plant with smooth, glossy, dark green leaves carrying varying amounts of red, especially along the margins and veins, on pinkish stems. It can reach 1.2 m with ample space, but pot size keeps it smaller. Chinese evergreens as a group come from tropical and subtropical Southeast Asia and New Guinea (Clemson, NC State). For the genus in general, see our Aglaonema care guide.
Light for Siam Aurora
Clemson says solid green Chinese evergreens grow in low light, while variegated types need low to moderate light, which it defines as bright and indirect, and that none like direct sun on their leaves. NParks says ‘Siam Aurora’ tolerates low light but may become leggy, and gives best results in bright diffused natural or fluorescent light. Full sun scorches the leaves.
In practice: a spot near an east window, a few feet back from a south or west window, or behind a sheer curtain. Grow lights work well too; NParks mentions fluorescent lighting, and our grow light guide covers LED options. No source gives a measured foot-candle or lux target for ‘Siam Aurora’, so judge by the plant: compact growth and strong color mean the light is right; long stretched stems mean it needs more; bleached or scorched patches mean it is getting direct sun.
Soil and Pot
Clemson recommends a commercially available, standard soilless mix with extra humus, in a container with drainage holes. NC State notes root rots can occur with overwatering and advises letting the medium dry between waterings, so drainage matters more than any particular recipe. A good bagged houseplant mix with a handful of perlite or fine bark works. Our aroid soil mix guide explains what each ingredient does.
Repot in spring when roots fill the pot, going up only one pot size. A pot much larger than the root ball stays wet longer, which is the main risk for this plant.
Watering
Clemson’s rule is to keep the soil moist but not too wet and to water when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry. Its test: push two fingers into the top 2 inches; if dry, water; if cold and damp, wait. NC State says to keep the mix moist from spring to fall and water less in winter (no true dormancy is needed). Both warn against cold water: Clemson recommends room-temperature water, and NC State says to avoid cold water.
Water thoroughly until it drains, then empty the saucer. If you tend to overwater, our overwatered vs underwatered guide helps read the signs.
Temperature and Humidity
Clemson gives 68 to 80°F as the preferred range, says Chinese evergreens tolerate down to 55°F, and notes they are sensitive to chilling temperatures below 50°F. NC State says they are intolerant of cold and prefer daytime temperatures of 70 to 80°F, and that leaves may turn brown in very dry air or a drafty spot. Keep the plant away from cold windows in winter, exterior doors and air conditioning vents.
Humidity is not demanding: Clemson says most grow well in an average house with low to moderate humidity, and NC State says they prefer high humidity but tolerate drier air. If leaf edges brown in a heated winter room, group plants or use a humidifier.
Fertilizer
Feed lightly during spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at the label rate or a little less, and stop in winter. Clemson warns that excessive fertilizer can cause leaf edge burn. If you see a white crust on the soil or brown leaf margins, flush the pot with plain water and feed less; see our fertilizer salt guide. There is no evidence that a special ratio makes the leaves redder.
Siam Aurora Propagation
Clemson lists division, stem cuttings, tip cuttings, air-layering and seed as propagation methods for Chinese evergreens, and notes that if the bottom leaves are shed and the lower stem becomes bare, the top can be removed and rooted. Illinois Extension adds that Chinese evergreens can grow in water and suggests tip cuttings or air layering when stems get too long.
- Division (easiest): in spring, unpot the plant, find natural clumps of stems with their own roots, separate them by hand or with a clean knife, and pot each in fresh mix at the same depth.
- Tip cuttings: cut a stem top with several leaves just below a node, remove the lowest leaf, and root it in water or a moist, airy mix in warm, bright, indirect light.
- Stem sections: pieces of a bare cane with a node can also root in a moist mix.
Wear gloves, since the sap of aroids can irritate skin. Our sphagnum moss propagation guide covers another way to root cuttings, and if a cutting goes soft in water, see our guide to cuttings rotting in water.
Why Is It Losing Its Red Color?
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| New leaves duller, stems stretching | Too little light (NParks: leggy in low light) | Move it somewhere brighter, still out of direct sun |
| Bleached or brown patches | Direct sun scorch (NParks, Clemson) | Move it back from the window or add a sheer curtain |
| Oldest bottom leaves yellow and drop | Normal aging | Remove them at the base |
| Dark, damaged leaves after a cold spell | Chilling below 50°F (Clemson) | Move away from cold glass and drafts |
| Yellowing with soggy soil | Overwatering, root rot (Clemson, NC State) | Let it dry more; check roots |
| Brown, burned leaf edges | Excess fertilizer (Clemson) or dry air | Flush the soil, feed less, raise humidity |
Color in red aglaonemas also varies with leaf age and cultivar: new leaves and older leaves can look different, and some plants simply carry more red than others. No published study measures how light changes the red of ‘Siam Aurora’ specifically, but in many plants red pigments are stronger in brighter light, and that matches what NParks says about bright diffused light giving the best results. Once a leaf has matured, its color usually won’t change much; judge improvements by the new leaves.
Is Siam Aurora Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Toxic to dogs, cats and horses
The ASPCA lists Chinese evergreen as toxic to dogs, cats and horses because of insoluble calcium oxalates. Signs include oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. NParks also warns the leaves irritate the mouth and throat if eaten. If a pet chews it, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Keep it on a high shelf or in a room pets can’t reach. For safer options, see our cat-safe plants guide.
Pests and Problems
Clemson lists mealybugs, aphids, scales and mites as the common pests and says diseases are rarely a problem in homes, apart from root rot from slow-draining mix or overwatering, and powdery mildew in high humidity. NC State agrees there are no serious problems but to watch for aphids, mealybugs, spider mites and scale. Check leaf undersides and the bases of leaf stalks when you water. For mealybugs, see our rubbing alcohol guide; for soft, dark roots, our root rot treatment guide.
Pruning a Leggy Plant
NC State notes Chinese evergreens tend to get leggy with age as the stem grows, and NParks says low light speeds this up. To refresh a leggy plant, move it to brighter light, then cut a long stem back in spring and root the top as a cutting (Clemson, Illinois). Remove yellow leaves at the base with clean scissors, and NC State suggests removing flowers to direct energy to the leaves. Wipe dust off the leaves now and then with a damp cloth.
For more houseplants grown for their colorful leaves, see our guides to begonias and purple passion plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light does Aglaonema Siam Aurora need?
Bright, indirect light for best results (NParks). It tolerates low light but grows leggy, and full sun scorches the leaves. Clemson says variegated Chinese evergreens need low to moderate, indirect light.
How often should I water Aglaonema Siam Aurora?
When the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry (Clemson), using room-temperature water. Water less in winter and never leave the pot standing in water.
Is Aglaonema Siam Aurora toxic to cats?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Chinese evergreen as toxic to cats, dogs and horses because of insoluble calcium oxalates.
How do you propagate Aglaonema Siam Aurora?
Division in spring is easiest. Tip cuttings and stem sections also root, in water or a moist mix, and a leggy top can be cut off and rooted (Clemson, Illinois Extension).
Why are my Siam Aurora leaves turning yellow?
One old bottom leaf at a time is normal. Several yellowing leaves with wet soil point to overwatering and possible root rot; yellow or dark patches after cold point to chilling below 50°F (Clemson).
Is Siam Aurora the same as red aglaonema?
‘Siam Aurora’ is one of several red-leaved hybrid aglaonemas sold as “red aglaonema” or “red Chinese evergreen”. NParks lists Red Aglaonema as its common name; other red cultivars include ‘Red Anjamani’, ‘Red Gold’ and ‘Red Zircon’ (Clemson).
How tall does Aglaonema Siam Aurora get?
Up to about 1.2 m (4 feet) with ample space, according to NParks, but most potted plants stay much smaller.
For a silver-leaved alternative, compare our Aglaonema Silver Bay care guide.