Aglaonema is a flowering plant genus in the Araceae family of arums. They are indigenous to Asia’s tropical and subtropical regions, as well as New Guinea. They are frequently called Chinese evergreens.
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.
See also: Know all about Scadoxus multiflorus
Aglaonema: Significant facts
Scientific name | Aglaonema |
Family name | Araceae |
Common varieties | Red Aglaonema, silver bay Aglaonema, spring snow Aglaonema, etc. |
Height | 30-45 cm tall |
Subfamily name | Aroideae |
Distribution range | Southeast Asia, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, New Guinea |
Uses | Aglaonema plants are among the best plants for air purification |
Environmental impact | Positive |
Maintenance | Low |
Best season for growth | Spring to summer |
known about: Graptophyllum Pictum
Aglaonema: Popular varieties
Source: Pinterest
Aglaonema rounded (Rotundum)
Rotundum is a natural species with heart-shaped dark green leaves. The colour of the veins, which can be white, pink, or crimson, is associated with various differences.
Aglaonema ribbed
The ribbed species, which is native to Malaysia’s southeast, is a true weed, despite the fact that its leaves can grow to be up to 20 cm long. They cast a pleasant dark green when elongated in the shape of an egg.
The faceplate has a white stripe in the centre and is strewn with light lines and spots on the sides.
Aglaonema Tivoli
Tivoli can be proud of its tasty leaves. They are dark green by nature, with a bright crimson border and the same colour vein in the centre.
Aglaonema butterfly
Butterfly’s beauty grows stronger with age. Its emerald leaves are initially diluted with pale green side veins and pink central veins.
Silver queen Aglaonema
The photo of Aglaonema changeable was used as a working material for wide hybrid varieties. The Silver Queen was one of them.
The colour of its leaves is silvery, and unlike the donor plant, only minor hints of green remain in the veins. Flower growers like this variety because it is unpretentious.
Silver king Aglaonema
Another hybrid offspring of Aglaonema mutable. The silver cover of the leaves flows smoothly onto their petioles, lending royal grandeur to the flower.
Aglaonema Treiba (Treubii)
Traiba leaves are elongated (up to 15 cm), lanceolate, and have a dense structure. The colour varies depending on the variety; it is green, variegated, and has various pattern variations.
Aglaonema Pictum (Pictum)
Because of its dense branching, painted aglaonema resembles a lush bush with an elongated leaf crown. The leaves are khaki in colour, with spots of pale cream and grey-green shades.
Aglaonema red
A 70 cm tall bush with oblong, variegated leaves is called Aglaonema red. The interior of the leaf has a tiny depression where the principal vein is. The name of the flower refers to how the green hue is nicely diluted with crimson tones.
Silver bay Aglaonema
Beginning with the fact that Silver Bay has unusually rounded leaves for the species might be a good place to start when describing the plant. The variety was discovered at the end of the twentieth century. It expands not only in height but also in width as it grows.
Aglaonema: Cultivation
Aglaonema can be propagated through stem cuttings or division during repotting. To propagate Aglaonema, wait until the middle of summer when the weather is at its warmest.
To propagate with stem cuttings, follow these steps:
- Take a several-inch-long stem from the mother plant with a disinfected, sharp cutting tool.
- Dip the bottom end of the cutting in root hormone and place it in a glass of water in indirect sunlight. In three to four weeks, roots should form.
- Transfer your cutting carefully and gently to a pot filled with well-draining potting soil and keep it moist.
To multiply by division:
- Place the pot on its side with care. Loosen the soil on the container’s sides with a trowel. Carefully remove the plant from the pot along with the soil.
- Shake the dirt away from the roots gently. To separate a clump for repotting, carefully tease apart the roots (this plant prefers to be root bound).
- Place the clump in a pot with water with potting soil that drains well.
- Keep both the original and divided plants moist for a few weeks until they are established and less stressed.
Source: Pinterest
Aglaonema: Care and maintenance
Light
Darker green varieties of Aglaonemas can grow in partial shade, whereas variegated varieties require more direct sunlight. No matter what species of plant you have, try to keep it out of direct sunshine, which may quickly burn the delicate leaves.
Soil
Finally, the Aglaonema isn’t particularly picky about the soil it’s planted in. A well-drained, slightly acidic potting soil is ideal for the plant. If your chosen soil is retaining too much water, try adding sand or perlite to help with drainage. You should also plant your Aglaonema in a pot with plenty of drainage holes at the bottom.
Water
The Aglaonema plant grows best in moist but not wet soil. To achieve this balance, thoroughly water your plant, then allow it to dry before watering again. This rhythm can be kept up all through the spring, summer, and fall, with a slight pause in the winter (but never letting the plant dry out completely).
Fertiliser
Feed your Aglaonema with slow-release pellets or liquid fertiliser twice a year, at the start and end of the cultivation season, for the best results. Follow the amount specified on the product label.
Humidity and temperature
These plants are sensitive to cold droughts and temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your Aglaonema away from windows or vents that bring in cool air; the warmer the location, the better.
Due to its strict humidity requirements, some producers view Aglaonema as a plant that belongs in a greenhouse. It thrives in the warm, humid, and bright environment of a greenhouse, but it can also be grown successfully indoors by mimicking these conditions as closely as possible. Mist your plant frequently to increase humidity levels, and consider placing it in a humid area of your homes, such as your kitchen or bathroom
Aglaonema: Uses
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.
FAQs:
Is it simple to care for Chinese evergreen?
They are very simple to grow as houseplants. Best of all, they don't like direct sunlight, so they're ideal for almost any room in your house, especially if the window light is limited.
How quickly does Aglaonema grow?
Because Aglaonema is a slow-growing plant, repotting is only necessary every two to three years.
Is Aglaonema poisonous?
It is poisonous if consumed by humans or animals (or if the juice from the plant is touched). Swallowing difficulties, irritated/painful, even burning/swelling mouth (including lips, tongue, and oesophagus), vomiting, foam at the mouth, and excessive drooling are all symptoms.