Give Your Aglaonemas the TLC They Need for Lush, Healthy Growth

Aglaonemas also known as Chinese evergreens, are popular houseplants that add a touch of the tropics to any indoor space. With their glossy leaves in shades of green, silver pink, red, and yellow, these plants bring color, texture, and visual interest to desks, shelves, tabletops, and more. The good news is aglaonemas are also easy to care for when you give them the right growing conditions. Follow these tips and your aglaonemas will thrive indoors with lush, vibrant foliage.

Choosing the Right Potting Mix

Aglaonemas need a well-draining potting mix to prevent soggy soil that can lead to root rot, A general houseplant potting mix amended with perlite or orchid bark works well, The perlite or bark helps aerate the soil and improves drainage Here are two simple potting mixes you can make at home

• 2 parts potting soil + 1 part perlite

• 2 parts potting soil + 1 part orchid bark

When repotting aglaonemas, choose a pot only 1 to 2 inches larger than the current container. Overpotting in a vessel too large can cause root issues. Make sure there are drainage holes in the pot to let excess water escape.

Providing the Right Amount of Light

Aglaonemas thrive in bright, indirect light. Direct sun will scorch their leaves. Place them near an east, west, or north facing window where they’ll get gentle light but no harsh afternoon sun. Light from a south-facing window may be too intense unless filtered by curtains or shaded by other buildings.

If you don’t have a suitable window, consider placing your aglaonema under grow lights. Look for full spectrum LED bulbs that provide bright, white light. Position the lights 12 to 18 inches above the plant. Give the aglaonema 12 to 16 hours under the lights each day.

Leaves that develop yellowish or whitish spots are a sign your plant needs more light. Bleaching or fading of the leaf colors indicates too much light. Adjust the lighting until you find the sweet spot.

Providing the Humidity Aglaonemas Need

With their tropical origins, aglaonemas prefer indoor environments with 40% to 60% relative humidity. This helps their leaves stay lush and healthy. If the air in your home is dry, here are some tips to boost moisture:

• Place a humidifier near your aglaonema.

• Mist the plant’s leaves every few days with room temperature water.

• Fill a shallow tray with pebbles and water. Set the aglaonema’s pot on the pebbles above the water line.

• Move the plant to higher humidity rooms like bathrooms or kitchens.

• Group aglaonemas together to create a little microclimate with more humidity.

• Add a moisture-friendly layer of pebbles or moss atop the potting mix.

Wilting, limp leaves indicate the humidity is too low. Leathery, curled leaves are a sign of excessive moisture in the air.

Watering Correctly

Aglaonemas are drought-resistant but don’t like bone-dry soil. Water when the top inch of the potting mix feels slightly dry to the touch. Take care not to overwater since soggy soil can lead to root rot.

The wrong size pot can cause watering issues. If the container is too big, the soil stays wet longer. Use a pot that’s just 1 to 2 inches larger than the root ball.

Water thoroughly until it drains freely from the pot’s bottom. Discard any water that collects in the saucer so the plant doesn’t sit in it.

Let the potting mix dry out a bit between waterings. The soil should never be allowed to become completely dry. A moisture meter helps avoid both under and overwatering.

Yellow, drooping leaves indicate under watering. If the lower leaves go yellow first, it’s likely the roots have rotted from overwatering. Adjust your schedule as needed.

Providing Ideal Temperatures

Aglaonemas prefer consistent, warm temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid drafts from windows, vents, or forced air systems. Cold spots can shock the plant and cause leaf damage.

During winter when indoor temperatures dip lower, make sure your aglaonema doesn’t drop below 60°F. Move it away from cold windows. A portable heater can provide warmth if your home is unusually chilly.

Temperatures above 80°F are fine in summer as long as humidity is adequate. Heat above 90°F can scorch the leaves if the plant is exposed to direct sun. Provide shade during hot weather.

Grooming Your Plant

To keep your aglaonema looking its best, remove any dead or damaged leaves. Trim off yellow, brown-tipped, or poorly shaped foliage. Wipe the remaining leaves every so often with a damp cloth to remove dust.

Pinching or snipping off spent flower spikes improves the plant’s appearance. It also prevents the aglaonema from going to seed unnecessarily.

Turn or rotate the pot periodically to ensure even growth on all sides. Aglaonemas can get a bit lopsided or sparse on the back side without occasional rotation.

Dealing With Pests or Diseases

Aglaonemas are vulnerable to common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Quarantine new plants to ensure they’re pest-free. Check under the leaves routinely for signs of insects.

Treat infestations immediately with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other organic remedies. For severe problems, you may need chemical pesticides or systemic treatments.

Overwatering and poor drainage often lead to fungal issues like root rot, leaf spot, or botrytis blight. Improve cultural care and discard severely affected plants. You can apply fungicides for mild to moderate infections.

By choosing the ideal location, optimal potting mix, and proper watering schedule, you can avoid most pest and disease issues. Healthy, thriving aglaonemas are less susceptible to problems.

Propagating Your Aglaonema

Once your aglaonema reaches the pot’s edges, it’s time for a trim and propagation. In spring or summer, cut a stem right below a leaf node. Remove the bottom pair of leaves and place the cutting in water or moist potting mix.

New roots will emerge in a few weeks. Transplant the rooted cutting into its own small container. Keep it somewhat protected as a houseplant baby while it establishes.

You can also divide an overgrown aglaonema in spring. Shake off some of the old soil and gently separate the root ball into smaller sections. Replant each division in its own pot.

Through propagation you can expand your aglaonema collection. Share extras with lucky plant-loving friends and family!

Key Takeaways for Growing Lush, Healthy Aglaonemas

• Use a well-draining potting mix like soil with perlite or orchid bark.

• Give your aglaonema bright, indirect light from an east, west, or north window.

• Maintain indoor humidity between 40% and 60% with a humidifier, misting, or pebble trays.

• Water when the top inch of soil is slightly dry. Don’t let the potting mix get bone dry or soggy wet.

• Keep temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid cold drafts.

• Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to get rid of dust buildup.

• Propagate by stem cuttings or division for more robust plants.

Follow these indoor growing tips, and your aglaonemas will reward you with their signature lush, glossy foliage. A little TLC goes a long way with these tropical beauties.