Green plants are gorgeous, but sometimes, we crave brighter colors and bold patterns. The aglaonema plant, also known as Chinese evergreen, offers both. This compact, easy-to-grow houseplant is loved for its vibrant coloring and patterns, ranging from jungle green, pink, red, silver, and yellow to stripes, speckles, and gradients. So if your space is in need of a little splash of color, aglaonema is the plant for you.
Aside from the spectacular look of these plants, aglaonema also happens to be easygoing, compact, and best of all, great at communicating its needs, making it an ideal choice for newbie plant parents. Its also generally slow-growing, meaning youll only need to repot every three years or so. However, youll need to be extra careful about placement, as aglaonema is toxic to both humans and pets.
The aglaonema plant, also known as the Chinese evergreen, is one of the most popular indoor plants due to its easy care, striking foliage, and air purifying abilities. With the right growing conditions, these tropical beauties can thrive indoors and add a pop of color and vitality to any space.
In this complete guide, we will share our top tips and tricks for growing a lush, healthy aglaonema plant indoors.
Choosing the Right Aglaonema Variety
There are over 20 species and 100 cultivars of aglaonema, offering plenty of options when it comes to leaf shape, size, and coloration. Some popular varieties include:
- Silver Bay – Gray-green leaves with dark green markings
- Red Emerald – Deep green leaves with red edges
- Pink Dalmatian – Spotted pink and green leaves
- Maria – Dark green leaves with silver markings
- Cutlass – Narrow, sword-shaped leaves
When choosing your aglaonema, consider factors like the size of your space desired aesthetics and lighting conditions. The coloration and variegation of some varieties like Pink Dalmatian need ample bright, indirect light to truly thrive.
Providing the Right Light
Aglaonemas prefer medium to bright indirect light, A spot near an east or west facing window is ideal Direct southern exposure should be filtered with a sheer curtain to prevent leaf burn,
These plants can tolerate low light, but growth will slow and plants may become leggy and sparse. If low light is unavoidable, consider supplementing with a grow light for 12-14 hours per day.
Rotate your plant occasionally so all sides receive equal light exposure. Monitor for faded coloration, which indicates a need for brighter light.
Mastering Watering
Aglaonemas prefer a consistently moist but not soggy soil. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. I recommend using your finger to test moisture before watering.
Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot. Never allow these tropical plants to completely dry out. Drooping leaves indicate under watering.
In brighter light, plants will need more frequent watering. In lower light, allow soil to dry out a bit longer between waterings.
Always use containers with drainage holes and dump out excess water in the saucer to prevent root rot from soggy soil.
Providing Proper Humidity
Aglaonemas thrive in average home humidity but prefer 40-60% humidity if possible. Run a humidifier nearby or place your plant on a pebble tray to increase moisture in the air.
Group plants together to create a beneficial microclimate. Mist leaves occasionally with room temperature water to boost humidity and rinse off dust.
Maintaining the Right Temperature
These tropical plants prefer consistent temperatures between 65-80°F. Avoid cold drafts and keep away from heating and cooling vents.
If room temperature drops below 60°F, you may notice cold damage like brown leaf edges. If needed during winter, move the plant to a warmer spot in your home.
Using the Proper Soil
Aglaonemas grow best in a loose, well-draining potting mix. Pre-mixed indoor plant soil or a homemade mix of peat moss, perlite, and compost will provide excellent drainage.
When repotting, choose a container with drainage holes just 1-2 inches larger than the current pot. Aglaonemas are sensitive to overpotting and prefer to be slightly root bound.
Fertilizing for Growth
During spring and summer, feed plants monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Suspend fertilizer in fall and winter when growth naturally slows.
Never fertilize a dry or stressed plant. Flushing the soil monthly with water will prevent buildup of salts from fertilizer.
Handling Common Issues
Here are some troubleshooting tips for common aglaonema problems:
- Brown leaf tips – Fluoride or salt buildup from water. Use distilled or filtered water.
- Leggy growth – Insufficient light. Move to a brighter location.
- Leaf drop – Underwatering, overwatering, or low humidity. Adjust care.
- Faded variegation – More indirect light needed. Move plant or use grow light.
Propagating Your Plant
You can propagate aglaonemas by dividing the rhizomes or root ball when repotting. Each division should have 3-5 leaves and some healthy roots.
Cuttings can also be taken in spring or summer. Take 4-6 inch cuttings below a leaf node and root in water or moist potting mix.
Enjoying the Benefits
With the proper care, the aglaonema can purify indoor air, add stylish foliage, and brighten up any living space for years to come. Follow these growing tips to enjoy a lush, healthy specimen.
Common Problems With Aglaonema
Caring for Aglaonema is relatively simple. Luckily, these plants are great communicators if you keep your eyes open, so youll be able to easily spot common growing issues.
Types of Aglaonema
There are more than 100 varieties of aglaonema to choose from. Cultivars like Red Peacock, Georges Ruby, and Harlequin have splashes of pink and yellow, while Anyanmanee has bright pink leaves speckled and edged with a bit of green.
The green-hued aglaonema, sometimes called Philippine evergreen, offers a lush, jungle-like feel along with more subdued—but no less attractive—colors and patterns. Black Lance, a larger cultivar, features long, pointed leaves with pale silver and deep green hues, whereas the pale green and white stripes on A. modestum and Brilliant call to mind the coloring of some calathea species.