Looking for a colorful houseplant to add to your collection ? If you ’re not conversant with the genus Aglaonema yet , you ’re in for a kickshaw ! These tropical works have been extensively selectively naturalise to make a rainbow of different colors and pattern . Almost all are well-heeled to mature and suitable for beginners .
rent ’s have a tone at everything you need to make love about Aglaonema and how to get this classic houseplant indoors !
Disclosure : If you shop from my article or make a purchase through one of my data link , I may get commissions on some of the products I recommend .
About Aglaonema
Description
Aglaonema , also eff as the Formosan evergreen , is a genus of Graeco-Roman houseplant coinage that ’s beloved worldwide for its colorful , patterned leaf and easy care . You may have discover these in store or billet , since their low light needs and comparatively unfussy nature make them great for public space .
It ’s unmanageable to give much of a description of this plant life , because as discuss below , there are one C of cultivar out there . All have somewhat different color , marking , leafage shapes , and other characteristics .
Maximum size of it vary as well , with some plants never growing much taller than a foot high and full , while others will get significantly higher and scatter vigorously if you give them the chance .
Still , all Aglaonemas have certain affair in usual . They ’re aroid works from the class Araceae with cane - similar stems and lanceolate folio . variety sell as houseplants frisk colors like classical green , silvery , cream , wan to neon pink , orange - pink and even yellow .
Formosan evergreens occasionally flower in the home , although their flowers are n’t much to count at . They ’re classically lily - like , with a greenish spathe and white spadix . This is usual among most other aroids ( such asAlocasia ‘ Black Velvet’,Monstera Siltepecana , andPhilodendron Gloriosum ) , which are grow for their foliage rather than their flowers .
Natural habitat
All of the species in the genus Aglaonema are naturally found in Australasia , as far west as India and as far east as Papua New Guinea . Quite the spread ! Of naturally , some of the coinage occur in China , hence the popular vulgar name of “ Formosan evergreen ” .
In their natural home ground , Aglaonemas loosely prefer affectionate , forested region characterized by gamy humidity and comparatively scarce light . They take shape part of the undergrowth .
Aglaonema varieties
Aglaonema is a genus containing around 20 different plant metal money , which explains why there are so many dissimilar varieties out there . Lots of hybridizing opportunities ! Not all Formosan evergreen species are usually originate as houseplant , though .
Although you ’re unlikely to regain the “ saturated ” version of any of these , the most common Aglaonema species in horticulture include :
By cut through ( hybridizing ) and selectively cultivating the mintage above , glasshouse and hobbyist have created a astounding number of Aglaonema cultivars . affair started pluck up in the ’ sixty and ’ 70s , and now there are hundreds , if not thousands .
you may observe a ( non - thoroughgoing tilt ) of my personal favorites over in this article onAglaonema variety . Just do n’t count if you ’re prone to pulsing - buying houseplants , as some of these will definitely make your hands itch !
Where to corrupt Aglaonema plants :
Caring for Aglaonema
Light and temperature
Like other tropicals that call the tropic forest their home , Taiwanese evergreen plant like sight of light , but they do n’t deal well with being exposed to rough sun .
After all , taller trees obstruct out much of the direct igniter in their rude home ground . The ideal billet for yours is one where it receives bright but indirect light . Most windowsills will be just fine .
you may also grow Aglaonemas under artificial light . industrial plant raise lights are a great option if you have no windowsill outer space or if you ’d wish to get your houseplants in something like a terrarium or humidity cabinet , which this metal money is a prime candidate for .
Water and humidity
tropic houseplants like this one can be a bite confusing for begin houseplant enthusiasts in full term of lachrymation . They love plenty of moisture , but they really dislike standing in piss for extended menses of time . In fact , wet foot can quickly lead to root rot .
( The elision is if you grow an Aglaonema hydroponically — in which case , it ’s aplant that grow happily in water system , no filth necessitate . )
Do n’t worry , though ; with a combination of right drain ( see the next paragraph ) and pick up to recognize over time when your plant is thirsty , you ’ll do fine .
First off , it ’s important not to water on a schedule , alternatively keeping in mind that your Aglaonema likes its grime lightly moist . you could allow the first inch or two of the soil dry out during summertime , while during wintertime , it ’s o.k. to let it go up to midway dry before watering again .
How soon your Formosan evergreen is quick for more water supply count on environmental conditions like light , temperature , and soil consistency .
If you ’re not certain , just hold fast a finger into the soil to gauge the moisture stage ! If it still feels moist , you’re able to wait a bit longer . you could also pick up the pot : If it feels importantly lighter than just after watering , that intend the soil is dry and you could water .
As for humidness , Formosan evergreen plant are n’t as fussy as some other houseplants . Still , they wo n’t fly high if your home plate gets very dry , which can happen during either winter or summertime depending on your climate . A crummy humidity metre can aid you monitor thing .
If the airwave wet level is consistently blue than 40 percent , your Aglaonema and other houseplants will likely benefit from the enjoyment of a humidifier . And so will your own sinuses , so it ’s really a win - win !
Soil and planting
Generally verbalise , Aglaonemas are n’t too fussy about their grunge . The most important affair is to expend a culture medium that drains well , combined with a planter that has a drain pickle in the bottom . This allow for excess H2O to fall from the pot freely , prevent soggy dirt and immensely depress the risk of deadly root rot in your industrial plant .
you could implant your Formosan evergreen plant in a fund - bought aroid soil mix , but I ’ll admit these can be a bit costly . Luckily , it ’s easy to mix a befittingly chunky soil yourself . An deterrent example of a upright Aglaonema soil would be :
The potting dirt in this admixture helps keep some wet , while perlite and bark allow the excess to run out and air to attain the plant ’s roots .
If you feel the mixed bag dry out out too quickly , you could consider adding some sphagnum moss to retain a little more water . If the soil stays damp for too long , on the other hand , you’re able to increase the perlite or orchid bark amounts .
Recommended products for Aglaonema upkeep :
Fertilizing
Because Formosan evergreens are pretty good growers during the active spring and summertime months , they do appreciate a piece of fertiliser from time to time . It just helps keep them going , especially if it ’s been a while since you last repotted and the soil nutrient have been depleted . you could practice a liquid houseplant fertiliser while water on a monthly foundation during the grow season .
Do n’t use plant food during wintertime , if your plant life is not growing or if your plant is n’t doing well . The excess nutrient can end up causing root damage if you do .
urge fertilizers for Aglaonema :
Pruning
As with similar tropical works , one nice affair about Aglaonemas is that you do n’t have to do much pruning on them at all . If a bottom foliage dies off , which is normal unless it happens at a worrying rate , you could result it on the industrial plant until it ’s crispy . This way , it can reabsorb the nutrient from it , which should help contribute to healthy unexampled growth .
If your Aglaonema does grow too expectant and gawky for you , manoeuver over to the surgical incision on propagation to receive out how you could make it small while also obtaining a trade name new flora .
Dividing or repotting
Has your Aglaonema grown to the point of needing an upgrade in terms of space ? First off , good job ! You must be doing something right .
fare next spring , you could choose to either repot the entire thing into a larger container , or become it into two modest plants . You ’ll find a template on the latter option in the paragraph below .
If you ’d like to keep your plant whole and opt for repotting , select a planter that ’s about 2 inches larger than the current one . Gently take your Aglaonema out of its pot , wearing gloves if you have raw pelt . Give it a shake to loosen the dirt around the roots and toss off it into fresh , fresh territory .
Your plant life can appear a bit wilted for a week or two after repot due to the daze , but it should perk right back up once its fragile hair roots have had the luck to regrow .
Propagating Aglaonema
Chinese evergreens are one of those houseplant species that are perfect extension candidates . you may moderately much chop ’em up every which way and they ’ll regrow !
If you ’d like to turn one Aglaonema into multiple Aglaonemas using nothing but a little unproblematic botanical magic , here ’s how you do it :
Division
This is the easiest method acting , since it does n’t usually require nominate any pregnant cut . If your Taiwanese evergreen consists of multiple shoot , just take it out of its planter and loosen the ground .
At this point , any offsets may already start coming loose by themselves . If they do n’t , you’re able to carefully tell their connexion to the female parent plant using a clean knife or pruning shears .
localise everyone in their own container with saucy soil , and you ’re done ! Because the new plant(s ) you separated will already have their own root system , they should proceed turn just fine .
Stem cuttings
prow plants like Aglaonema will have nodes on their stems : small bumps that have the capacity to produce roots or leaf . We can leverage this power for reproduce them .
For example , if you “ behead ” your Taiwanese evergreen and come in the top in water , it will sprout rootage . you may then replant it , and it will continue mature as a steel fresh plant life . The headless mother Aglaonema will resprout a young top from one of her client ( or sometimes determine to produce new shoots from the soil ) , so she will be ok as well .
you’re able to also opt to take thing even further if you ’d like multiple young flora . After you take the top off your Aglaonema , try out cutting up more of the mother plant ’s stem , taking multiple sections of at least around 2 in of duration . These can be commit into a mini come start glasshouse or even just a plastic baggie .
add together some damp sphagnum moss and direct the whole thing in a bright and lovesome spot . Each stem segment can bourgeon roots and leaf , eventually growing into a whole new works !
Is Aglaonema toxic to cats and dogs?
Chinese evergreens , like other phallus of the aroid family , are considered lightly toxic to cats , dogs , and human . They hold atomic number 20 oxalate lechatelierite , which are microscopic but very keen , and can cause irritation . There ’s no need for panic if your furred Quaker eats a few leaf , but you should offer plenty of piddle and keep an eye out for well up in the mouth and throat .
View the World Wide Web Story onAglaonema plant attention .
