Cold damage
Grayish-green, water-soaked blotches that appear after a chilly night are cold damage.
Diagnosis
Cold damage
What's happening
Aglaonema is one of the most cold-sensitive common houseplants and suffers below about 60°F. A cold draft, a chilly windowpane, or a trip home from the store in winter can injure the leaf tissue, leaving dull grayish or greasy-looking water-soaked patches that later brown and die back.
How to fix it
Move the plant somewhere warm and stable, away from cold windows, exterior doors, and AC or heating vents, and keep it consistently above 60°F. The damaged blotches won't recover, so trim badly marked leaves at the base once the plant is warm again. Hold off on fertilizing until you see healthy new growth, then resume normal care.
What fixes it
- Frost cloth for cold snaps — A length of frost cloth wrapped around the pot and plant protects it on cold nights or during a winter move home.
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