Aglaonema: Planting, Cultivation, and Maintenance

Botany

The Aglaonema belongs to the vast family of Araceae, plants distinguished by a characteristic inflorescence. It appears as a large bract, called a spathe, which surrounds numerous small flowers grouped on a spike, the spadix. Aglaonema is actually a genus that includes about sixty species, all native to Southeast Asia, from India to the Philippines and China. In fact, the genus Aglaonema is the Asian counterpart of the American genus Dieffenbachia, which belongs to the same family.

The extraordinary variety of Aglaonema foliage

Among this multitude of species, Aglaonema commutatum is certainly the most cultivated. It originates from a vast area extending from Malaysia to the Philippines and can present a wide variety of forms with more or less pronounced striations. This plant can reach 50 cm in height. Aglaonema costatum, native to India, is almost stemless, and features very dark green foliage. It is more creeping. The very hardy Aglaonema modestum has relatively large stems, which, in cultivation, can grow more than 1 m in length. In recent years, numerous hybrids have been developed to vary the delights with their very colourful, variegated, marbled, or speckled foliage. Among the most well-known hybrids, we can mention ‘Silver Queen’ with its ash-green foliage edged with dark green, or ‘Silver Bay’ with green and silver leaves…

From an etymological perspective, the name “Aglaonema” is derived from the Greek “aglaos” meaning “shining” and “nema” referring to the stamens of the flowers.

Hybridization has led to the creation of varieties with foliage dotted with pink or red

The genus Aglaonema thus includes many perennial herbaceous plants, non-hardy, that naturally grow in tropical forests. They have a relatively fleshy root system. These are small, evergreen plants that easily become bushy. Indeed, numerous shoots develop at their base and allow the formation of a dense, compact, and erect clump. The leaves are entire, generally oblong and lanceolate. They are carried on long petioles. Most foliage is variegated, grooved, spotted, marbled, dotted, or striped with varying shades of green, cream, silver, yellow, or even red or pink. The variegated appearance of these leaves makes these indoor plants true focal points in decor.

Aglaonema also stands out for its inflorescences, which consist of a spadix, quite inconspicuous, on which the small unisexual or bisexual flowers are inserted, more or less enveloped by a bract called a spathe. Flowers are quite common in cultivation, but they are generally cream-white or greenish. These inflorescences that appear in summer are not particularly decorative. On some species, they may be followed by red or yellow berries that can make the plant more attractive.

The flower of Aglaonema, characteristic of the Araceae

It is worth noting that the leaves, stems, and flowers of this plant are toxic. All these parts of the plant can cause skin irritations and vomiting if ingested. Therefore, it should be kept away from children and pets.

Several species and varieties

How to Plant Aglaonema?

When to Plant Aglaonema?

This indoor plant can be planted at any time of the year.

How to Plant It?

Aglaonema thrives in a light and permeable substrate. Ideally, it should be planted in a mix of leaf mould and manure (or compost) in equal parts, to which a bit of sand or perlite is added. However, a good special indoor plant compost, mixed with a handful of heather soil, will perfectly suit its needs.

• Choose a container slightly larger than the root ball, as Aglaonema likes to feel snug. The pot must have drainage holes
• Gently remove the Aglaonema from its pot and slightly loosen the roots if they are really tight
• Place a good layer of clay pebbles, coarse gravel, or pozzolan at the bottom of the pot to ensure drainage
• Fill half of the pot with the substrate and install the Aglaonema without burying the collar
• Top up the pot with the remaining substrate, making sure to firm it down with your fingers to avoid air pockets
• Water the substrate moderately; it should not be completely soaked.

Where to Place It?

Overall, Aglaonemas tolerate moderately low to reduced light. Thus, any moderately lit room, such as attic bedrooms, hallways, an office, or a secluded corner of a main room, is perfectly suitable. Only the species and varieties with variegated leaves can handle more light to maintain their colours. Moreover, in a brighter room, aglaonemas tend to flower more.

Logically, this plant is sensitive to direct sunlight on its leaves, which causes it to lose its colours.

Aglaonema requires a temperature between 15 and 21 °C, except in winter when it is preferable to keep it at a temperature between 13 and 15 °C. However, being quite sensitive to cold, Aglaonema cannot withstand temperatures below 13 °C in winter. In any case, it should be kept away from heat sources and protected from cold draughts. In summer, if you have a garden, this indoor plant can be placed outside in a shaded spot.

It is also important to provide it with relatively high atmospheric humidity.

How to Care for Aglaonema?

Due to its tropical origins, Aglaonema makes an excellent indoor plant. However, it is essential to provide it with conditions as close as possible to its natural habitat to maintain a healthy, colourful, and robust plant. It particularly requires a fairly high ambient humidity.

Watering

Watering should be plentiful in summer, about 2 to 3 times a week, and more moderate and spaced out in winter, when the plants are in semi-dormancy. The substrate should never be dry, but also not waterlogged. Ideally, it should be allowed to dry out just a few centimetres deep.

Watering is ideally done with rainwater, boiled and cooled water, or tap water that has been left to stand overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate. It is absolutely necessary to water with room temperature water to avoid thermal shock, which is detrimental to indoor plants.

It is obviously essential to remove any residual watering water, which should never be allowed to stagnate in the saucer or decorative pot.

To maintain a certain level of atmospheric humidity for the Aglaonema, it is possible to mist the foliage with non-limestone rainwater, about once a week in summer. Alternatively, simply place the pot on a bed of clay pebbles in a saucer and keep it regularly moistened.

Cleaning the foliage with a damp cloth is also important to increase the humidity.

Fertilisation

Aglaonema is a relatively demanding plant that needs to be fertilised during its growth period, from March to October. The application of special indoor plant liquid fertiliser is recommended twice a month, during watering.

Pruning

Pruning is unnecessary. Simply remove dead and damaged leaves, not forgetting the faded and dry floral stems. Also, remember to frequently rotate the pot to prevent the plant from leaning towards the light. Aglaonema tends to exhibit tropic movements.

Repotting

Repotting should be done every 2 to 3 years, in spring. Larger specimens will simply be top-dressed.

Diseases and Pests of the Aglaonema

Relatively robust, the Aglaonema is hardly susceptible to diseases. Only excessive watering and stagnant water risk causing root rot.

The colourful foliage can also be affected if the cultural conditions are not met. Thus, variegated leaves losing their vibrancy in favour of green are a sign of a lack of light. On the other hand, foliage turning yellow is more a manifestation of too much water. If the tips of the leaves dry out, it is certainly because the atmosphere is too dry. It is really necessary to place the pot on a bed of moistened clay pebbles.

Dry foliage is a sign of a too dry atmosphere

Otherwise, in a too dry atmosphere, your young plant can be susceptible to attacks by scale insects or red spider mites. Aphids can also settle on the stems and leaves. To treat these parasitic pests, I invite you to discover our three articles:

• Scale Insect: Identification and Treatment
• Red Spider Mite: Identification and Treatment
• How to Get Rid of Aphids on Indoor Plants?

How to Propagate Aglaonema?

Aglaonema can be propagated either by cuttings or by division of clumps. However, the species Aglaonema costatum, which has very short, almost non-existent stems, cannot be propagated by cuttings.

Propagation by Cuttings

This propagation method involves using apical stem cuttings that have been defoliated, or pieces of naked stems with at least three nodes. The stem fragments should be planted vertically in a porous, sandy mix that is barely moist. A mix of special plant compost, supplemented with perlite and coconut fibre, is ideal. The substrate should be moist, but not soaked. The cuttings should be placed in a well-lit room, away from direct sunlight, at a temperature between 20 and 25°C.

The best time to take cuttings from Aglaonema is at the start of summer.

Division of Clumps

If your Aglaonema has grown too large and you wish to share it with friends or family, division is the quickest solution. This division should be done in spring. Simply unpot your plant, and divide the rootstocks into two or three pieces, ensuring each part has a number of buds. These pieces are then replanted.

Our Little Decorating Tip!

Available in a multitude of colours, Aglaonemas can be perfectly cultivated in groups of several pots. Simply vary the colours by placing varieties with deep green leaves, which are very tolerant of lower light levels, next to those with silver leaves, which also adapt to more limited light. You can add colourful cultivars, which require slightly more intense light. Beyond their foliage, some varieties offer white or pink stems. Aglaonema can also easily be paired with plants like Spathiphyllum or Pilea.

To highlight the colours of the leaves, use discreet and neutral planters, such as those made from woven natural fibres. A simple white planter is also perfect.

Its foliage will bring a tropical ambiance, even to the least illuminated rooms.

And to further convince you to invite an Aglaonema into your home, know that it is a symbol of good luck in Asia.