How to Propagate Aglaonema

 

The Aglaonema plant is a tropical evergreen perennial plant that is available in a number of cultivars and the plant also make excellent houseplants. The Aglaonema plant has large, glossy, lance-shaped oval leaves that come in different color combinations from shades of silver, green, and white to purple, red, and cream. The Aglaonema Indoor plants rarely produce flowers.  

Furthermore, the genus name actually originated from the Greek words aglaos meaning "bright" and nema for "thread," which refers to the stamens. In the Chinese practice of feng shui, anglaonema is thought to bring prosperity, luck, and success.

Is Aglaonema easy to grow? The Aglaonema plants are slow-growing and they make popular, indoor foliage plants that can be potted and cared for year-round. The Aglaonema plant is toxic to dogs and cats.

 

Aglaonema plant Info

The common name: The common names are Philippine evergreen, Chinese evergreen, Poison Dart Plant.

The botanical name: The botanical name is Aglaonema commutatum.

The family: The Aglaonema plant belongs to Araceae family.

The plant type: The Aglaonema plant is an herbaceous, perennial plant.

The mature size: The mature size is about 1–3 feet tall, 1–3 feet wide.

The sun exposure: The Aglaonema plant prefers partial, full sun.

The soil type: The Aglaonema plant does well in a well-drained soil.

The soil pH: Acidic

The blooming time: The blooming time is spring, summer.

The flower color: The flower color is white.

USDA hardiness zones: Ten to twelve.

The native area: The Aglaonema plant is native to  Asia.

Plant toxicity: The Aglaonema plant is toxic to dogs and cats.

 

Aglaonema Care

As a garden if you're looking for a beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplant, the Aglaonema plant may be the way to go. Beloved for its (nearly) hands-free care, the Aglaonema plant is simple to nurture.

Plant the Aglaonema in well draining potting mix of soil and perlite or moss.

You can place the Aglaonema plant in a location with indirect light and high humidity. A bathroom with a window is perfect.

Also allow the top inch of the soil to dry out between waterings.

You can feed the plant with a general all-purpose houseplant fertilizer from twice a year to as often as every 6 weeks.

Place the Aglaonema plants outdoors during warm summer months, if desired, in climates that exceed fifty-five degree Fahrenheit.

 

Light requirement

The darker green varieties of the Aglaonema plants can grow in near-shade, while the variegated varieties actually require a bit more bright light. The lighter the variegation on the plant leaves, the more indirect sunlight it will need. Take care not to expose any variety of the Aglaonema plants to direct sunlight, as harsh rays can easily burn the delicate plant leaves.

 

Soil requirement

Normally, a well-drained, slightly acidic potting soil is ideal for Aglaonema plants. If the soil retains too much water you can try mixing in sand or perlite to boost drainage. Houseplant potting soil mixed with compost, perlite or peat moss will make a good combination.

 

Water requirement

How often do you water Aglaonema? The Aglaonema plant does not tolerate soggy soil and they prefer to be on the dry side. You can irrigate every 5 to ten days during the growing season or when the top inch of the soil becomes dry. Frequency can be tapered off during winter months. Don’t let your Aglaonema plant dry out completely.

 

Temperature and humidity requirement

The Aglaonema plant don’t like cold drafts and don't tolerate temperatures below fifty-five degree Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range falls between sixty-five degree Fahrenheit and eighty degree Fahrenheit. Make sure you avoid areas close to vents, windows and doors where temperature may fluctuate.

The Aglaonema plant requires a consistently high humidity level. To increase humidity around your Aglaonema plant you can consider placing the Aglaonema plant in a kitchen or bathroom or on a pebble tray. If your home is particularly dry you can invest in a small space humidifier. 

 

Fertilizer requirement

You can feed the Aglaonema plant with slow-release pellets or liquid houseplant fertilizer twice a year, at the beginning and end of its growing season. If your soil is nutrient poor you can increase the feeding frequency to every 6 weeks throughout the growing season.

 

Aglaonema Varieties

There are a lot of popular cultivars of Aglaonema, including:

The 'Frasher' variety: The 'Frasher' variety features milky green leaves, with cream variegation and white petioles.

The 'Pseudobracteatum' variety: This particular variety leaves are spattered with green-gray splotches, with white highlighting on the veins.

The 'White Rajah' variety: This variety foliage has broad amounts of white coloration.

The 'Red Zircon' variety: The 'Red Zircon' variety has green leaves with pink blotchy sections in the center.

The 'Silver Bay' variety: The 'Silver Bay' variety has silver tinges in the center of predominantly green leaves.

The 'Maria' variety: The 'Maria' variety is a shade-tolerant variety with dark green leaves and silvery stripes.

 

Pruning Aglaonema Plant

The new stems grow from the crown of the Aglaonema plant and the stems tend to put out leaves at the top. The lower plant leaves die back and either fall off or can be removed. This growth habit results in a plant that eventually becomes leggy and bare at the bottom with all the leaves at the top.

keep your Aglaonema plants looking lush by removing spent leaves. You may need to reach deep down in the center of the Aglaonema plant. You can peel the discolored or dead Aglaonema plant leaves from the main stem with your fingers. When the plant stems become leggy you can cut them back with a sharp sterile tool just above the 4^th or 5^th leaf node. The pruned plant stem will produce new leaves, bringing foliage closer to the soil level to create a fuller appearance. Spring or early summer is the best time to prune the Aglaonema plants. 

 

Propagating Aglaonema Plant

The Aglaonema plant can be propagated using stem cuttings or by dividing the plants during repotting. You have to wait until summer when the weather is warmest.

 

Potting and Repotting Aglaonema Plant

The Aglaonema plant actually grows well in a standard peat-based potting mix combined with sand or perlite to improve drainage. Any material will do for a pot, however it's common to use decorative ceramic or clay. Repot the Aglaonema plant every 2 or 3 years in spring. The Aglaonema plant can be allowed to become slightly root-bound before repotting. The potting mix should be kept moist at all times, but watering can be slightly reduced during winter.

 

Pest and Disease Control on Aglaonema

While not susceptible to a lot of diseases or pests, the Aglaonema plant can occasionally pick up a common houseplant issue like scale, spider mites, mealybugs. These pests can be easily treated with neem oil.

Most other issues arise because the Aglaonema plant is kept too moist. Actually fungal infections and root rot are typical of an over-watered Aglaonema plant.