Also called Chinese evergreen Aglaonemas are easy-to-care-for houseplants, perfect for beginners or plant lovers looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance plant. Aglaonemas are large, lance-shaped tropical plants that come in a variety of colors, from deep green to silvery tones to reds and even bright pinks.
These popular houseplants belong to the Araceae family and are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and New Guinea. There are over 20 species and hundreds of Aglaonema cultivars that have been bred to display a variety of leaf patterns and vibrant colors.
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Why is Aglaonema called the “Chinese evergreen”?
The common name for aglaonema is “Chinese evergreen” or “lucky plant” because in Feng Shui, aglaonema is believed to bring success, good fortune and prosperity. Its easy-to-grow nature and beautiful appearance are considered favorable for a person’s financial potential. It is also a perennial plant that does not lose its leaves, hence the name evergreen.
How often should I water my Aglaonema?
Aglaonemas prefer moist, but not too wet soil (too much water can cause root rot). Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Check the moisture level by sticking your finger directly into the soil. This plant can tolerate short periods of drought, but trying to keep it from drying out too much can be detrimental to the leaves, so try to keep it as dry as possible. However, if your plant is in a low light location, it’s okay to let a few inches of soil dry out between waterings.
Like most plants, they will need more watering during the growing season (spring to autumn) and less frequent watering in winter. If possible, it’s best to use a pot with drainage holes and a saucer so that excess water can run off into the saucer.
Also, plants in sunny locations tend to dry out faster, so plants in bright, indirect light will need more water than plants in lower light.
How much sun does an aglaonema need?
Overall, aglaonemas prefer medium to bright indirect sunlight, but they can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions (one of the reasons they’re such an easy-to-care-for houseplant). Too much direct sunlight can cause leaf burn, but aglaonemas can tolerate a variety of lighting conditions, depending on the variety.
Dark green leafed aglaonemas can tolerate weaker light conditions than light colored varieties, so if yours has light leaf colors, grow it in bright indirect light. Turn your plants regularly to ensure even growth.
If you move your plant outdoors for warmer weather and brighter light, slowly expose it to the new level of light over a few days. Keep it outdoors in the shade to avoid direct sunlight and leaf burn.
Should I fertilize my aglaonema?
It’s a good idea to fertilize your aglaonema once a month to encourage growth in the spring and summer. Multi-purpose fertilizer for houseplants Apply at half the strength during the warm growing seasons of spring and summer, and then withhold fertilization during the winter when growth is much slower.
Aglaonema Temperature and Humidity
Aglaonemas do very well indoors all year round, as their ideal temperature is between 65° and 80° F. However, they will not thrive if the temperature drops below 55° F, so keep them out of cold drafts and bring them inside if the temperature drops.
Aglaonemas thrive in humid environments and therefore thrive in humid conditions. You can add humidity to your home with a humidifier, or you can simply fill a tray with pebbles and water and place the pot on top (make sure the water level is below the top of the pebbles). The pot sits on top of the tray of pebbles and the water in the tray evaporates, creating humidity around the plant.
The bathroom is a great place to grow an aglaonema because of its humid environment (provided it has the right light).
Pruning Aglaonema
Aglaonemas don’t require much pruning, just a pair of sharp scissors will suffice. Or pruning shears To keep your plants looking neat, remove any dead leaves and stems.
If your plants get too tall and the stems get too long, use a sterilized tool to cut the stems back above the fourth leaf node (to prevent the spread of disease) and the leaves will regrow closer to the base of the plant. This type of pruning is best done in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season.
Planting and repotting aglaonema
Planting an Aglaonema Well-drained potting soil (You can also add perlite, peat moss, or sand to the soil to improve drainage.) Pot with drainage holes It has good drainage, allowing excess water to drain away. Some people put lava rocks under the soil at the bottom of the pot to help drain water away from the plant’s roots.
Although aglaonemas are slow-growing plants, you may still need to repot them every few years. Check in the spring to see if roots are growing out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot; if they are, it’s a sure sign that the plant is starting to become root-bound. Move the plant to a slightly larger pot with well-draining soil and give it plenty of water.
Aglaonema Breeding
To propagate aglaonema, you can divide the plant or grow new plants from stem cuttings. The best time to do this is during the growing season.
Divide and grow:
- Loosen the soil with a transplanting trowel and remove the plant from the pot.
- Shake off any excess soil and gently separate the roots and plant into two halves.
- Plant each half in a pot slightly larger than the root ball. Well-drained soilWater thoroughly and keep the soil moist until the roots are strong.
Propagating by stem cuttings:
- Use a clean cutting tool to cut off a healthy stem several inches long.
- Place the bottom of the stem in a glass of water and place it in bright, indirect light.
- In about a month, roots will form and the new plant can be planted in a small pot. Well-drained soil Keep moist until roots develop.
Related: How to Propagate Plants
Should I remove the aglaonema flowers?
Although not as pretty to look at, Aglaonemas can produce flowers that tend to be hidden among the leaves (so you may not even realize they’re there). The “flowers” are actually inflorescences (stalks with clusters of flowers) and usually look more like distorted leaves than traditional flowers. The flowers usually consist of a green or white head with white sceptres extending from the head.
There is some debate as to whether or not to cut the flowers that bloom on an aglaonema, but cutting the flowers will not harm the plant and the flowers themselves are not very attractive, so it is fine to cut off the flowers with clean cutting tools, but be careful to only cut off the flowers and not the leaves that the flowers are growing from.
Different varieties of Aglaonema
Green Papaya: This beautiful variety has lush green leaves with papaya-colored veins.
Flasher: This variety has dark green leaves with striking cream spots.
Pseudo-Bracteatum: This variety has a silvery green pattern within a dark green border.
Red Zircon: This eye-catching plant features bright red leaves with thin dark green lines around the edges.
White Rajah: This popular variety has bright white veins that stand out against a lush green background.
Silver Bay: This variety boasts a stunning silvery center with a dark green border.
Maria: These leaves have silver accents on dark green foliage.
wish: This beautiful cultivar has dark green leaves speckled with bright pink.
Diagnosing common problems
Aglaonemas are generally easy to care for, but you may encounter some common houseplant problems, such as:
- pest: Aglaonema is a plant that is not susceptible to insects, but it is often infested with pests such as scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. Neem Oil Or insecticidal soap to get rid of bugs.
- Burnt leaves: Your plant may be getting too much sunlight, especially if it is in direct sunlight. Move it to a location out of direct sunlight.
- Brown leaves: Brown leaf tips may mean your plant is getting too much light or isn’t responding well to the chemicals in your tap water, especially fluoride and chlorine. Watering with filtered water or letting the tap water stand overnight before watering will help reduce the chemical levels.
- Leaf Inclusion: If you notice leaves curling, increase the humidity around the plant or place a tray of water and pebbles under the plant to increase humidity. Leaves can also curl from a lack of water or changes in temperature, so water more frequently and check to see if there are heating or cooling vents near the plant.
- Yellow leaves: Yellowing leaves are usually a sign that you’ve overwatered your plant. Wait until the plant has completely dried out before watering again. Make sure that at least the top 1.5 cm of soil is dry before watering.
- Loss of color in leaves: If you notice that your plant’s leaves are losing color and vibrancy, it may be because they are being burned by too much direct sunlight. Try moving your plant to a spot where it gets indirect light rather than direct sunlight.
- Root Rot: These plants are not susceptible to disease, but root rot can be fatal. Too much water will drown the roots, so make sure to put drainage holes in the planter and use a well-draining potting soil.
FAQ
Is Aglaonema Poisonous to Humans and Pets?
In Aglaonema Calcium oxalate crystals are mildly toxic and can cause mouth and stomach irritation and vomiting, so precautions should be taken if you are growing them in a home with small children or pets, such as keeping them out of reach.
Source: A Beautiful Mess – abeautifulmess.com
