Because of its beautiful leaves and vibrant colours, Aglaonema is a popular houseplant. It is a highly tolerant plant to drought and moisture conditions. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight, but they can also thrive in low to medium-light conditions. This popular ornamental plant is known for its colourful leaves that come in a variety of patterns. Some varieties are green and white, while others are red and pink. They are ideal for modern home decoration, as well as for offices and living rooms.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Aglaonema is a genus of flowering plants in the arum family, Araceae. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and New Guinea. They are known commonly as Chinese evergreens.
These are evergreen perennials with stems growing erect or decumbent and creeping. Stems that grow along the ground may root at the nodes. There is generally a crown of wide leaf blades which in wild species are often variegated with silver and green coloration. The inflorescence bears unisexual flowers in a spadix, with a short zone of female flowers near the base and a wider zone of male flowers nearer the tip. The fruit is a fleshy berry that ripens red. The fruit is a thin layer covering one large seed.
Plants of the genus are native to humid, shady tropical forest habitat.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The Aglaonema plant thrives best in medium-bright, indirect light. It can also tolerate low light conditions, but it may affect the plant’s growth and cause it to grow more slowly. It’s best to place the plant directly in or near a window, preferably an East or West exposure but unobstructed Northern windows can work which provide low-moderate indirect light. Avoid placing the plant in direct, afternoon sunlight from a South window as it can scorch the leaves unless a sheer curtain is drawn. If you’re thinking of placing the plant farther from a light source consider measuring light to ensure your Aglaonema receives enough!
Temperature
The Aglaonema plant prefers temperatures between 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). It can tolerate lower temperatures but may suffer damage if exposed to temperatures below 50°F (10°C). Keep the plant away from cold drafts and air conditioning vents.
Humidity
The Aglaonema plant can tolerate normal room humidity but can benefit from higher humidity levels. You can increase humidity by incorporating a humidifer if the air in the home is consistanly dry. Avoid placing the plant near heaters or air conditioning vents as it can dry out the leaves and cause leaf drop. Not sure if humidity is high enough? You can measure the level of humidity with a hygrometer or LTH meter.
Watering
The Aglaonema plant prefers evenly moist soil but can tolerate periods of drought. Water the plant once the soil has dried out. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Overwatering can cause root rot, so make sure the pot has proper drainage and check the moisture of the soil prior to watering. Using a moisture meter is great for helping you know when to water.
Soil
The Aglaonema plant prefers well-draining soil with good moisture retention. A mix of coco coir, perlite, and compost can provide the ideal growing conditions. It’s also best to use a pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging the soil. Alternatively, providing a layer of lava rocks to the bottom of pots with no drainage holes can help create a place for excess water to pool away from your plant’s roots.
Fertilizing
Aglaonema benefits from occasional fertilizing but doesn’t need to be fertilized very frequently. You can fertilize once a month. Only fertilize in spring and summer, as this is the time your plant is ready to grow!
Propagation
Want to make some teeny tiny Aglaonema plants? You can easily take stem cuttings from the mother plant, divide plants or separate baby plants that grow around it. The best and easiest way to propagate a Chinese Evergreen is by the division method. It may sound a little scary, but the division is a simple way to propagate a plant with immediate results.
Here’s how to do it:
- Carefully remove the mother plant from the pot and gently untangle the roots.
Shake the soil from the root ball and carefully pull the plant apart from the center in two or more pieces. - Make sure each part has its own root system.
- If the roots cannot be pulled apart, cut them carefully with a clean and sharp knife or pruning shear.
- Plant each section in a new pot with fresh potting soil and give the plants a good splash of water.
- After propagating, make sure to keep the soil moist but not too wet and avoid direct sunlight until the new plants are established.
Repotting
When receiving the plant, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months. They like to be a bit root-bound.
Repot in the spring, using a 2″ bigger pot to keep the roots drier. (Too big of a pot could cause the soil to dry slower, which is not helpful.) Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage.
Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow drainage. Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball. Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen.
Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling.
Ensure the plant is sitting about 1″ below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over.
Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. If settling occurs, add more soil.
Pests and Diseases
Chinese evergreen houseplants can be affected by pests like spider mites, (soft)scale, mealybugs and aphids. Routinely checking the leaves for signs of pests will help to limit problems later. Misting your Aglaonema with clean water occasionally works preventively against pests. It removes any present bugs and dust and will make the leaves shine again!
III. Uses and Benefits
- Purification of the air
The plant purifies the air by removing benzene and formaldehyde. They did not perform as well as other plants that removed ammonia and xylene, but they did help to clean the air in the small space.
- Minimal upkeep
You should have no trouble growing any species in the Aglaonema genus if you take proper care of it. These plants are not fussy and are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including neglect.
- Ornamental worth
The large leaves in a variety of patterns and colours complement any interior design and placement in your home, giving you endless possibilities.
- Can aid in allergy relief
For allergy sufferers, the search for home remedies and relief is never-ending. You might want to add a few houseplants, such as the Aglaonema, to your space to help you along the way.
- Stress reduction
Aglaonemas also have mental health benefits in addition to physical health benefits. Houseplants have been shown to reduce stress and increase happiness on numerous occasions, and they are even used by therapists to help patients in a practice known as therapeutic horticulture.
