Aglaonema Plant Care Guide – How to Keep Your Plant Healthy

The Aglaonema belongs to the Araceae or Arum family of plants. The Chinese evergreen is one popular name for Aglonema; however there are hundreds of variations available under a variety of names. Aglaonema evolved in the wetlands and rain forests of southeastern Asia, including the Philippines and Southern China.

Aglaonema may be cultivated outside in tropical climates, although it is most commonly grown inside as a beautiful houseplant. Proceed with caution, though, because most kinds of the plant are toxic and can cause skin and mouth irritation.

There are around 40 plant species in the Aglaonema family. Aglaonema leaves are typically long, slender, and rounded in shape. The leaves are often variegated, or have a mixture of hues. The leaves can be any mix of green, white, and pink. Aglaonema is such a popular houseplant, producers are continuously releasing new kinds in a broad range of colors to the market.

The Aglaonema plant

The Aglaonema plant has been cultivated in the home or garden as a lucky plant for centuries in various Asian countries. They were finally introduced to the Wild West in 1885 and brought directly to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Many different varieties of them are bred.

Aglaonema plants are easily identified by their long, narrow, and curved leaves that are available in the market in many different colors ranging from green, pink, and white. The Aglaonema plant occurs in the Southeast Asian region and is a genus that includes about 40 different families. It needs special care.

This plant grows in the tropics. These types of houseplants are slowly becoming popular ornamental houseplants. It is toxic to pets. So keep them away.

Aglaonema Plant overview

• Common Names: Chinese Evergreen, Aglonema, and Philippine Evergreen
• Botanical name: Aglaonema commutatum
• Plant Type: Herbaceous, Perennial
• Mature size: 1–3 feet tall and 1–3 feet wide.
• Sun Exposure: Partial, Full
• Hardiness Zones: 10–12
• Soil type: well-drained
• Soil pH: acidic 5.5 to 6.5
• Bloom Time: Spring, Summer
• Native area: Asia
• Flower color: white
• Poisonous: dogs and cats

Plant species

Aglaonema contains multiple species, although the number varies depending on which botanical registry you consult. Aglonema, on the other hand, comes in a variety of leaf shapes and colors.

Aglaonema nitidum: Nitidom, with its deep, dark green foliage, can likewise absorb very little light. This plant is very popular, especially in office settings. It is an evergreen Aglaonema that will stay green no matter how little light it receives.

A. Sapphire Bay: This plant combines emerald two dark green with silver gray-green foliage to create a complete and lush indoor plant. This versatile plant prefers low-light conditions, making it a great houseplant choice. The Aglaonema variety has more silvery tones in its leaves.

A. “Red Peacock”: Bright pink veins and crisp pink-green leaves look extraordinary indoors. Red Aglaonema prefers a little more direct sunlight than many of its relatives, although it is better to keep it in indirect or low light conditions.

A. “Red Gold”: These house plants grow well both indoors and outdoors. Its leaf edges are red, creating a beautiful green interior. The leaf veins and stems are also red in color. This is a popular shade planter option.

A. “Cutless”: The long, slender leaves are named “cutlass” because they look almost like daggers. The leaf edges and midrib are dark green and the center is slightly silvery with white.

How to grow Aglaonema plant

This plant thrives in warm weather. So put it in a warm place, ideally between 60 and 85 degrees. Fill a regular potting soil container with aglonema. Water the soil daily from the time the plant is planted to keep it hydrated.

Pruning

As a versatile and flexible landscaping plant, Aglaonema allows you to cut it into any shape you like. Moreover, you can completely remove the pruning and leave it to grow naturally.
Plants can also be trained to grow horizontally instead of vertically. Cut off the upper leaves using scissors, leaving the lower ones to grow outward. The plant will eventually expand into the shape you specify.

Propagation

Root cuttings can also be used to propagate Aglaonema plants. It’s definitely the best approach to ensure results, but it might be challenging if you’re a beginner gardener. However, as long as you use caution, it should not be too difficult.

Select healthy branches from the mother plant that you want to trim. Each shoot should be at least six inches long and have five leaves. You can propagate the plant using both fresh and old branches. Make a diagonal incision in the stem of the shoot using a clean, sharp blade or gardening shears, just below the leaf node. Remove some of the lower leaves of the cutting.

If using the water technique, fill an appropriately sized glass or jar with water, submerging the leaf nodes (but not the surrounding leaves), and then place the cutting in the water. Moisten the soil, make a few-inch-deep hole with finger or a pencil, and plant the cutting. Gently pat the soil around the base of the cutting to secure it.

Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide To Schefflera Plant: How To Care For

Aglaonema Plant care

Keep Aglaonema plant’s soil just moist, not wet, and don’t let the soil dry out completely. In general, it needs more water in the summer and less in the winter, so check the soil moisture regularly.

Fertilize aglonema. When plant’s pot is overcrowded, transplant it into a larger container with fresh soil. This is best done during the summer when the plant is actively growing.

Soil and fertilizer

The pictum tricolour, like other plants in the Aglaonema genus, prefers consistently wet conditions but is prone to root rot. It should be planted in soil that holds some water while draining properly. A permeable potting mix enriched with organic elements is desirable. Make own by blending equal parts indoor potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark mix at home.

During the spring and summer, fertilizer Aglaonema every two weeks using a diluted liquid fertilizer suited for houseplants. Once the plant has stopped actively developing in the fall and winter, stop fertilizing completely.

Light and water

Green varieties of Aglaonema can grow in near shade, while variegated varieties require moderately direct or brighter light. Do not place any Aglaonema plants in direct sunlight, as the harsh rays can easily burn the delicate leaves.

Aglaonema plants thrive in moist soil but not in waterlogged soil. So check the moisture content and give proper amount of water. Let it dry and then water again. It needs more water during summer and autumn, while less water is needed in winter. But never let the plant dry out completely.

Temperature and humidity

This plant does not like temperatures below about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. So keep Aglaonema plant in a place where it gets a comfortable temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not store it below 60.

Due to its high humidity requirements, it thrives well in hot, humid, and bright environments in greenhouses. This plant can be successfully grown indoors. To increase the humidity around plants, water as the mist falls to increase the humidity level.

Pests and diseases

Although plants are generally not susceptible to pests or diseases, common plant problems such as mealybugs or spider mites can be treated with insecticides or neem oil.

Overwatering Aglaonema can cause green leaves to turn yellow and roots to rot. And if the leaf tips are turning brown, plant’s soil is saturated with fluoride, and the plant needs to be repotted. Good, distilled water should be used for irrigation.

The leaves and stems of the plant are poisonous to both pets and children. So make sure dog does not chew the leaves. Keep the pot out of reach of animals and children.

I hope you find the Aglaonema planting advice useful. If you think we missed something or have a suggestion, please leave it in the comments below.