The aglaonema plant is easily recognized by its long, narrow, and curved leaves which come in many different colors varying from different shades of green, to pinks and whites. Aglaonema plants come from the southeast Asia region and are a species that includes 40 different families. It is a tropical plant, and with special care can be successfully grown indoors. This kind of houseplant has gradually become an increasingly popular decorative houseplant. This beautiful plant provides a variety of colors and shapes to your home and is a good plant for beginner to intermediate gardeners.
It is important to note that the sap of the Chinese Evergreen, a common name used for aglaonema, is considered poisonous, but not deadly. It can cause minor discomfort and irritation to the skin as well as being toxic to pets if ingested. In the event that any part of this plant is ingested, call your doctor or veterinarian immediately!
Now we will go over a guide to caring for your aglaonema, including planting, pruning, and propagating instructions, as well as advice on how to save a struggling aglaonema.
How to Plant Your New Houseplant
1. Choose a pot that is around 2-3 inches wider than the base of the plant.
2. Add a layer of quality potting soil such as Fertilome Ultimate Potting Mix to the bottom of your container.
3. Gently loosen the roots of your plant (this is especially important if the plant is rootbound) before placing it in your container.
4. Fill in space around the roots with additional soil and make sure to pack the soil down gently around the base of the plant.
5. Water your newly potted plant until water drips out the drainage hole, then allow the plant some time to adjust to its new environment (this can take up to two or three weeks).
How to Care for an Aglaonema
Light:
While aglaonema thrive best in indirect bright light, they also adapt to low light situations making it easy to grow indoors in a room with windows. Aglaonema also does well under a grow lamp as a substitute for sunshine in a windowless room. Be careful not to place your Chinese Evergreen in a hot window with lots of direct sunlight as this could cause the leaves to burn.
Temperature & Humidity:
Because aglaonema come from the tropical plant family, they do best in a humid and slightly warm environment. They thrive best above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and they love a light misting of water. If your plant gets too dry, it may begin to develop brown tips on its leaves. In the event that this happens, placing it next to a humidifier will help avoid further damage to the leaves. If your aglaonema gets too cold, it may suffer from shock and may even die. Ensure that you are placing this plant away from any drafty windows or A/C vents that could blow cold air onto your plant.
Water:
Aglaonema do not need to be watered daily. In fact, they are incredibly resilient, and if forgotten for a few weeks generally do just fine. Overwatering can cause your plant to die, and wilted or soft leaves that have yellowed are often a sign of overwatering. It is preferable to keep your soil slightly moist, letting it dry out in between waterings. To avoid pooled water at the bottom, ensure that you are using a pot with holes for drainage and emptying the water tray of any excess water. In general, your plant will benefit from being watered once every two weeks. Monitor your plant closely, however. Different factors such as warmth, sunlight, and the time of year will all affect how much water your plant will need.
How to Prune your Aglaonema
Aglaonema do not necessarily need to be pruned regularly. Pruning an aglaonema is usually done to encourage new growth, cut off dead or damaged foliage, or for propagation purposes.
1. Yellow or brown stems can be trimmed at the beginning of the color change.
2. Annual blooms can be trimmed to allow new growth.
3. If the plant is large but with minimal outward growth, trim an inch or two back.
How to Propagate
1. Select a good pair of sanitized shears.
2. Pick a stem with foliage and cut at least 4-8 inches off of the main plant.
3. Place the stem in soil and set it in bright indirect light.
4. You should have new growth between 20-40 days after planting.
How to Save a Dying Aglaonema
1. If your aglaonema’s leaves are turning yellow or brown, it can be a sign of “shock” due to a drastic temperature change, transportation, repotting, or lighting change. An easy fix for this is pruning the leaves that are changing color and allowing the plant to regulate. Many people’s first reaction is to water the plant, but this is not recommended! Overwatering is the biggest cause of death to houseplants, and excessively watering a houseplant that is already in shock will only cause more harm.
2. If your aglaonema’s stems and leaves are turning yellow, it can be a sign of excess retention of water. If not tended to, it will result in root rot. A simple fix to this is allowing the soil to completely dry out before watering again. Ensure that your plant is in a proper pot with drainage and that its soil is well-draining as well. If your soil is holding onto too much water, adding soil amendments such as perlite or sand can help your soil drain better.
3. If your aglaonema’s stems and leaves are drooping, it can be a sign of improper lighting or excessive water. To fix this, make sure that your plant is away from direct sunlight but also receiving enough indirect light, and ensure that the soil dries out before watering additionally. If you have a hard time telling if your soil has dried out sufficiently, consider investing in one of these handy soil moisture meters!
4. If your aglaonema’s leaves are turning brown and dry or crispy, it means that your plant is not receiving enough water. To fix this, prune the dying leaves or simply cut off the bits that have dried out. Then moisten the soil and allow any excess water to drain out the bottom. You can even lightly mist the leaves to help keep them happy.
Now That You Have the Skill, Let’s Grow an Aglaonema!
Aglaonema are beautiful plants that give your home a special touch of color and natural décor. While they are simple to care for, going the extra mile for these plants will ensure that they maintain their beauty and color. Additionally, a happy aglaonema will allow you to propagate them and plant more, because who doesn’t want an aglaonema in every room? At Bath Garden Center, we offer a variety of different types of aglaonema. Head on over to our online shop to pick out one of these beautiful plants today, or visit us in-store to see these beauties with your own eyes!