Aglaonemas

 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. It's also generally slow-growing, meaning you'll only need to repot every three years or so. However, you'll need to be extra careful about placement, as aglaonema is toxic to both humans and pets. 

• Botanical Name: Aglaonema Commutatum
• common Name: Aglaonema, Chinese Evergreen
• Plant Type: Evergreen Perennial
• Mature Size: 20 inch high
• Sun Exposure: Low to bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Peat-based potting soil
• Soil pH: 5.6–6.5

plant care:

 Keep your aglaonema plant's soil just barely moist—but not wet—and avoid allowing the soil to dry out completely. Generally, it will need watering more frequently in the spring and summer and less in the winter, so check the soil moisture regularly. 

Feed your aglaonema with houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength every four months or so. When your plant's pot becomes overcrowded, transplant it into a container one size larger with fresh soil. This is best done during the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. 

Best Growing Conditions for growing aglaonema

Many of our favorite houseplants need as much light as you can give them, but aglaonema plants are pretty flexible in this regard. In particular, green varieties of aglaonema can tolerate lower-light conditions well. However, for colorful variegated species, bright, shadowless light is ideal—such as from a window facing north, which offers the weakest light compared to windows with other exposures. 

Quick Tip

This plant likes the heat, so make sure that you place it in a warm spot, ideally with nights in the 60-degree range and days ranging from 75–85 degrees.

Pot your aglaonema in standard potting soil. Like pothos and heartleaf philodendron, aglaonema can also be kept in a clear container of water. If using this method, add a bit of charcoal to the water, and feed the plant once per month with just a drop of houseplant fertilizer.

Your plant will tell you when it's getting too dry by letting its leaves droop. They should perk back up shortly after watering. If your plant's leaves are yellowing or its stems feel mushy, that's a sign that the plant is getting too much water. 

Types of Aglaonemas

There are more than 100 varieties of aglaonema to choose from. Cultivars like 'Red Peacock', 'George's 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. modest and 'Brilliant' call to mind the coloring of some calathea species.

Common Problems With Aglaonema

Dry Leaf Tips

One indicator that there's a growing problem with your aglaonema is dried-out leaf tips. This is called "tipping," and it can be a symptom of a few issues, including overwatering and too much fertilizer. Professional gardeners have determined that the most common cause of tipping is watering your plant with water that has a high concentration of salts, chlorine, and fluoride. If your plant is showing signs of tipping, switch to purified water.

Drooping Leaves

This is one of those instances where your aglaonema is telling you exactly what it needs. Drooping leaves means your plant is very thirsty, so give it a big drink of water and keep a closer eye on it to prevent the soil from drying out completely.

Yellow Leaves

If your plant's leaves are turning yellow, that usually means you're overwatering. Take it easy on the water level and let the soil dry out more in between. On the other hand, if your aglaonema leaves are both yellow and drooping, that's a sign that your plant is really thirsty, so give it a nice long drink and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Potting and Repotting Aglaonemas

Chinese evergreens don't mind being a little rootbound, but once your plant becomes too crowded with roots poking out of the drainage holes, that means it's time to transplant. This is best done during the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.

Choose a pot that's 3 to 4 inches wider than the current container and line it with fresh soil. Gently loosen your plant around the edges with your hand or a slim garden trowel and wiggle it free from the container. Place it in the new pot, top with fresh soil, and give it a nice drink of water.