Aglaonema, also known as the Chinese Evergreens, is a family of indoor plants known for their vibrantly colored and strikingly mottled leaves. Their colorful appearance and ease of maintenance make them a very popular houseplant. Caring for Aglaonema is relatively simple due to its low maintenance and durability.
Aglaonema is available in numerous varieties. The colors range from dark to light green, silver, pink, off white, yellow, and red. The colorful foliage can brighten up a bland-looking room while giving it a touch of nature.
Sunlight
In nature, Aglaonema grows under the large and dense tropical trees of Asian forests. Being used to shade, Aglaonema is perfectly suited for a life indoors.
While Aglaonema doesn’t need direct sunlight, it does need plenty of indirect light. The plant is best placed in a well-lit area of your house or garden. But make sure you plant it in the shade, or where it only gets early morning sun. If your place lacks natural light, worry not! Aglaonema grows perfectly fine in artificial lighting.
Watering
Aglaonema will forgive you if you miss out on a couple of watering sessions with it. This is because it doesn’t need much watering to stay healthy. Plants that grow in the shade don’t have to worry about losing their precious water to the sun, and Aglaonema is no exception. Just water the little guy when the soil feels dry.
Temperature
Aglaonema loves temperatures between 65-85 degrees. Plant your Aglaonema away from direct air-conditioning, and protect them from intense heat like that in a kitchen.
Temperature variations can also make or break the deal for your Chinese Evergreens. Sudden or large temperature changes can shock the plant, affecting its growth. However, if the plant is living indoors, it is safe from large natural temperature variations.
Humidity
Being a tropical plant, Aglaonema prefers things damp. Spraying the plant’s leaves with water regularly will make sure it stays lush and vibrant.
A greenhouse is best for growing the plant outdoors as it gives the warm and humid environment Aglaonema loves. If regular spraying feels too much, don’t worry. Aglaonema won’t mind if the air gets a bit dry.
Plant Nutrition
Feed your Chinese evergreens a modest amount of organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Make sure the soil is damp when you fertilize the plant. Feed your Aglaonema only during the growing seasons, i.e., spring and summer.
Toxicity
Nobody likes being eaten. The same is true for the Aglaonema. The plant houses toxic chemicals that may cause mild irritation and nausea if consumed. The plant has bright-colored fruits, which are also very toxic. Keep the plant away from the reach of pets or children.
Repotting
Another reason why Aglaonema is such an excellent houseplant is that it grows very slowly. This takes the need to transfer the plant to a bigger pot every few months.
Repotting is a risky task, even for expert gardeners. Often, plant roots can get damaged during the transfer. Sensitive plants can take time adjusting to a larger pot and may need supervision for a couple of weeks of repotting.
Since Aglaonema grows so slowly, it can happily stay in one pot for months on end. For best results and continued growth, repot once every 12-18 months to a container a couple of inches larger than the previous.
Common Issues
As tough as it may be, your Aglaonema can still get sick. The plant is susceptible to root rot and sunburn. Being a shade-lover, Aglaonema does not need direct sunlight. In fact, it hates it. Direct sunlight can cause sunburn, most evident by the wilting and browning of the leaves. If you observe it on your Chinese Evergreen, immediately move it to a shady spot.
If your plant is in the shade and you’re watering it regularly, yet its leaves are turning pale, you may be overwatering it. This can lead to root rot, which you must immediately treat, or risk losing the plant.
Final Thoughts
The combination of striking appearance, low maintenance, and easy care makes the Aglaonema one of the best houseplants. Brighten up your bathroom, bedroom, office cubicle, living room, or garden with this gorgeous tropical vegetation.
