Aglaonema Plant Care Guide – Tips and Tricks for Healthy Growth

With their colorful leaves and tropical vibe, aglaonemas are a popular choice for homes and offices. These Chinese evergreens can be nearly indestructible when cared for properly. But they also have preferences and requirements to thrive. Follow this comprehensive aglaonema plant care guide to learn the tricks to keeping your plants healthy and looking their best.

Light Requirements

Aglaonemas are tolerant of lower light than many houseplants, but they grow best with medium indirect light. Here are some light tips:

• Bright indirect light is ideal. Place plants near an east, west, or north window.

• Some direct morning sun is fine, but more than an hour can burn leaves. Filter with a sheer curtain.

• Low light from a north window or several feet from an east or west window works but slows growth,

• Avoid direct southern exposure as it is usually too intense, Also avoid dim corners far from any windows

Signs your aglaonema needs more light:

• Sparse, leggy growth
• Pale yellowish foliage
• Small leaves

If light stress occurs, move to a brighter spot gradually over 7-10 days. Prune damaged growth if needed.

Watering Your Aglaonema

Establishing the right watering rhythm is key to keeping your aglaonemas thriving. Here are tips on aglaonema water needs:

• Allow the top 50% of the potting mix to dry out between waterings. The lower half can remain lightly moist.

• Check by sticking a finger in the soil or lifting the pot to gauge the weight.

• More frequent watering may be needed in warmer weather or smaller pots that dry out faster.

• Cut back on water in winter when plants are growing slowly.

• Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot’s bottom holes. This flushes salts from the soil.

• If the leaves start to curl, yellow, or brown at the tips, the plant is getting too dry. Water more often.

• Wilting or mushy, rotten roots mean it’s staying too wet. Allow more time to dry out.

• Use room temperature water, not cold water straight from the tap.

Humidity Preferences

Aglaonemas prefer average home humidity but fare best with 40-60% humidity if possible. Options for increasing moisture in the air:

• Use a pebble tray – place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water.

• Run a humidifier in the room.

• Mist leaves occasionally with a spray bottle of water.

• Group plants together to create a localized humid zone.

• Put pots on humidity-boosting surfaces like moistened pebbles or foam mats.

Low humidity may cause leaf tips to brown or yellow. Increase moisture levels and trim off any unsightly growth.

Soil Mix

A quality, well-draining soil is vital for aglaonema health. A good potting mix contains:

• Peat or coco coir to retain some moisture

• Perlite or bark to improve drainage

• Compost for nutrients and organic matter

Avoid using 100% peat or straight gardening soil – both hold too much water. Re-pot into fresh potting mix every 2-3 years as the organic matter breaks down.

Fertilizer

During the active growing season from spring to summer, feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength. Options include:

• Houseplant fertilizers like Schultz or Miracle-Gro

• Balanced formulas like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20

• Organic fertilizers like fish emulsion or compost tea

Apply monthly according to label directions. In fall and winter, fertilize every 6-8 weeks at 1/4 strength.

Pruning Your Aglaonema

Pruning keeps your aglaonema full, compact, and tidy. Trim off:

• Dead or damaged leaves and stems. Cut all the way back to the base.

• Leggy stems to reshape the plant.

• Flowers or flower stems, which can drain energy from the foliage.

• Overgrown, top-heavy plants to stimulate bushier regrowth.

Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors and make cuts just above nodes or leaves.

Displaying Aglaonemas

Aglaonemas look great showcased alone in a pot or combined with other plants:

• Allow bushy varieties to fill the pot so the foliage drapes densely over the container’s edges.

• Plant several aglaonemas together for contrasting colors and heights.

• Layer them with other low-light plants like pothos, ferns, or philodendrons.

• Set pots on plant stands or pedestal dishes to elevate the foliage closer to eye-level.

• Add height with decorative supports and obelisks tucked into the pot.

Temperature Needs

Aglaonemas thrive in the same temperatures we prefer indoors. Ideal ranges are:

• Daytime – 65-80°F

• Nighttime – above 60°F

• Keep away from hot and cold drafts.

If temperatures dip into the 50s, growth may slow. Prolonged exposure below 50°F can damage foliage. Move pots away from cold windows in winter.

Typical Aglaonema Growth Habits

Understanding how aglaonemas grow helps ensure proper care. Here are some key traits:

• Most have upright stems that gradually branch with maturity to form a shrub-like shape.

• Many popular green and variegated varieties reach 2-3 feet tall and wide when grown in pots.

• Dwarf types like Aglaonema ‘Sparkling Sarah’ stay under 1 foot tall and wide.

• Larger species like Aglaonema modestum can reach 6 feet tall in ideal conditions.

• The foliage generally ranges between 3-8 inches long depending on the variety.

• When overgrown but healthy, aglaonemas can be divided at the root ball to propagate new plants.

Troubleshooting Common Aglaonema Problems

Follow these tips to diagnose and solve the most common issues with aglaonemas:

Crispy leaf edges – It’s getting too dry. Increase watering frequency.

Yellow, drooping leaves – Overwatering. Let the soil dry out more between waterings.

Sparse, leggy growth – Needs more light. Move to a brighter location.

Leaf spots or mushy roots – Could be fungal disease. Improve air circulation.

Pests like spider mites – Wipe leaves with insecticidal soap and keep area clean.

Leaf yellowing and dropping – May indicate overfertilizing. Flush soil and reduce fertilizer.

Roots growing from drainage holes – The plant is pot-bound. It’s time to size up the container.

Aglaonema Varieties to Try

With so many varieties available, it can be tough choosing your first aglaonema or adding to your collection. Here are 10 fantastic options:

For beginners:

• Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’: Gray-green leaves with silver stripes. Grows 2 feet tall. Easy care.

• Aglaonema ‘Emerald Beauty’: Deep green with faint silver-gray patterns. Compact variety.

For bright color:

• Aglaonema ‘Red Lipstick’: Olive-green leaves with bright red stripes along the veins.

• Aglaonema ‘Pink Dalmatian’: Speckled pink and green leaves.

• Aglaonema ‘Red Secret’: Dark red stems and red-tinted leaves.

Interesting textures:

• Aglaonema ‘Silver Bay’: Covered in a silvery-white sheen.

• Aglaonema ‘Golden Bay’: Shiny yellow-green and pale green variegated leaves.

Unusual shapes:

• Aglaonema ‘Treubii Moonlight’: Narrow twisted foliage for textural drama.

• Aglaonema ‘Minima’: Tiny dwarf variety under 6 inches tall.

Displays to Inspire Your Creativity

Aglaonemas offer almost endless decorating possibilities. Here are some creative ways to show off their vibrant foliage:

• Place several varieties in a jungly indoor garden surrounded by palms, ferns, and elephant ears.

• Combine with black monstera, philodendron, and calathea for a modern, graphic look.

• Let the stems cascade from a suspended or wall-mounted pot.

• Plant in matching white, black, or metallic cachepots for a sleek designer feel.