Additionally known as a Chinese language Evergreen plant, the Aglaonema is a straightforward to look after houseplant that’s good for learners and plant lovers who need a lovely but low-maintenance plant. The Aglaonema options giant, lance-shaped tropical foliage that is available in many alternative colours starting from deep greens, to silver-tinted, to shades of purple, and even vibrant pink.

These in style houseplants are member of the Araceae household and originate from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and New Guinea. There are over 20 species of plant and a whole bunch of Aglaonema cultivars which have been bred to showcase variations of leaf patterns and vibrant colours.

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Why are Aglaonema known as “Chinese language Evergreens”?

The widespread title of the Aglaonema is “Chinese language Evergreen” or “Luck Plant” as a result of in Feng Shui the Aglaonema is believed to deliver success, luck, and prosperity. Their easy-to-grow high quality and delightful look is meant to advantageous to an individual’s monetary potential. They’re additionally perennial vegetation that don’t lose leaves and therefore the evergreen title.

How usually ought to I water Aglaonema?

Aglaonema like moist soil with out being too moist (an excessive amount of water can result in root rot). Water when the highest inch of soil is dry which you’ll be able to verify by sticking your finger instantly into the soil to verify the moisture stage. Though the plant can survive quick intervals of drought, don’t let the plant dry out all the way in which in the event you may help it or your leaves could undergo. Nonetheless, in case your plant is in a decrease mild space, you may let a number of inches of filth dry out between waterings.

Like most vegetation, you’ll must water extra within the rising season (spring to fall) and you’ll taper off watering to a much less frequent schedule within the winter. It’s greatest to make use of a pot with a drainage gap and saucer if attainable so extra water will drain out into the saucer.

Additionally, vegetation which can be in sunnier areas are likely to dry out sooner, so these in brighter oblique mild will want extra in comparison with these in low mild conditions.

How a lot daylight do Aglaonema want?

Total, the Aglaonema prefers medium to vibrant oblique daylight however may be comfortable in lots of lighting circumstances (one motive it’s a straightforward care houseplant). Whereas an excessive amount of direct daylight can result in leaf burn, the Aglaonema can tolerate various mild circumstances primarily based on the variability.

Darker inexperienced leafed Aglaonema can deal with decrease mild circumstances higher than the lighter hued varieties, so preserve your Aglaonema in brighter oblique mild if its leaves are a lighter colour. Rotate your plant now and again to make sure even progress.

If you’re taking your plant exterior for the hotter climate and vibrant mild, expose it to the brand new stage of sunshine slowly over a couple of days. Preserve it exterior in a shaded space to keep away from direct publicity and leaf burn.

Ought to I fertilize my Aglaonema?

It’s a good suggestion to fertilize your Aglaonema as soon as a month to encourage progress throughout spring and summer season. You should use a basic objective houseplant fertilizer at half energy in the course of the hotter rising season within the spring and summer season months and skip fertilizing within the winter months when the expansion is way slower.

Temperature and Humidity for Aglaonema

For Aglaonema, 65° to 80° levels Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature so they’re typically very comfortable inside the home yr spherical. They received’t do nicely, nonetheless, if it drops under 55° levels, so preserve them away from chilly drafts and produce them inside in case you are experiencing decrease temperatures.

Since Aglaonema come from a extra humid atmosphere, they thrive at a excessive humidity stage. You possibly can add extra humidity to your private home with a humidifier or you may put some pebbles and water in a tray and easily place your pot on high (ensure the water stage sits under the highest of the pebbles). The pot will sit on high of the pebble tray and the water within the tray will evaporate and create humidity across the plant.

Bogs are an incredible spot for Aglaonema (so long as it has the correct mild for them) as they’re a extra humid atmosphere.

Pruning Aglaonema

You received’t must do a lot pruning in your Aglaonema plant. Simply use sharp scissors or pruning shears to take away lifeless leaves or stems as they seem to maintain your plant wanting tidy.

In case your plant is getting too tall and leggy, you may snip the stems again with a sterilized device (to forestall spreading illness) above the 4th leaf node and they’ll regrow leaves nearer to the bottom of the plant. It’s greatest to do this sort of pruning within the spring at first of the rising season.

Potting and Repotting Aglaonema

Pot your Aglaonema with well-draining potting combine (you may add some perlite, peat moss, or sand to the soil for additional drainage) and pots with drainage holes are greatest for good drainage so extra water will drain away. Some folks like so as to add a layer of lava rocks on the backside of their pot below the soil to additionally assist the water drain away from the plant’s roots.

Aglaonema are a slower rising selection, however you should still must repot them each few years. Verify within the spring to see if the roots are rising out the drainage gap on the backside of the pot, and if they’re that’s a certain signal the plant is beginning to change into root sure. Merely transfer the plant to a barely bigger pot with well-draining soil and water totally.

Propagating Aglaonema

To propagate your Aglaonema, you may both divide the plant or develop a brand new plant from stem cuttings and the most effective time to do that is in the course of the rising season.

Propagate by division:

• Take away the plant from its pot by loosening the soil with a trowel.
• Shake off extra filth and gently separate the roots and plant into two halves.
• Plant every half right into a pot just a little larger than the basis ball that’s stuffed with nicely draining soil. Water totally and carry on the moist facet till roots are stronger.

Propagate by stem cuttings:

• Use a clear reducing device to snip off a wholesome stem that’s a number of inches lengthy.
• Place the stem backside right into a glass of water and place in a vibrant oblique mild location.
• In a couple of month, roots will type and you’ll plant your new plant right into a small pot of nicely draining soil and preserve moist till roots are established.

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Ought to I take away the flowers on my Aglaonema?

Whereas not that fairly to take a look at, Aglaonema can produce flowers that have a tendency to cover among the many foliage (so it’s possible you’ll not even know they’re there). The “flower” is definitely an inflorescence (a stem with a gaggle of flowers) normally seems extra like a distorted leaf than a conventional flower. Flowers normally encompass a inexperienced or white hood with a white spath popping out from the hood.

There’s a little bit of a debate whether or not or to not lower the flowers that seem on Aglaonema, however since removing doesn’t harm the plant and the flowers aren’t a lot to take a look at, it’s effective to snip them off with a clear reducing device as they seem. Simply ensure to solely lower the flower off and never the unique leaf it’s popping out from.

Totally different types of Aglaonema

Inexperienced Papaya: This stunning selection has inexperienced lush leaves with papaya coloured veins.

Frasher: This selection has darkish inexperienced leaves with a hanging cream variegation.

Pseudobracteatum: It is a cultivar with silver-green patterns unfold inside darkish inexperienced edges.

Crimson Zircon: This eye-catching plant options vibrant purple leaves tinged on the sides with a skinny line of darkish inexperienced.

White Rajah: Vivid white veins pop towards a lush inexperienced for this in style selection.

Silver Bay: This selection boasts a surprising silver center that’s edged with darkish inexperienced.

Maria: These leaves are accented with silver on a darkish inexperienced leaf.

Needs: This stunning cultivar has darkish inexperienced leaves speckled with vibrant pink dappling.

Diagnosing Widespread Issues

Whereas Aglaonema are typically simple to look after, it’s possible you’ll run into a few of these widespread houseplant points:

• Pests: Aglaonema are usually not prone to bugs, however some widespread pests are scale, mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. Deal with as wanted with neem oil or insecticidal cleaning soap to maintain bugs below management.
• Burned Leaves: Your plant could also be getting an excessive amount of daylight, particularly if direct daylight is hitting your plant. Transfer to much less direct mild.
• Brown Leaves: Ideas of the leaves turning brown can imply the plant is both getting an excessive amount of mild or it might not be responding nicely to the chemical substances in your faucet water (fluoride and chlorine particularly). Strive watering with filtered water or depart your faucet water out in a single day earlier than watering as that decreases the degrees of chemical substances.
• Leaf Curling: For those who discover that your leaves are curling, attempt rising the humidity across the plant or putting a tray with water and pebbles below the plant to extend humidity. Leaves may curl from below watering or from modifications in temperature, so attempt watering extra usually and verify for any cooling or heating vents close to the plant.
• Yellow Leaves: Leaves that flip yellow are normally an indication of overwatering. Let the plant dry out till virtually totally dry after which water once more, ensuring not less than the highest inch of soil is dry earlier than watering once more.
• Leaf Coloration Loss: For those who discover your plant is dropping colour or vibrancy of its leaves, it might be getting an excessive amount of direct daylight that’s scorching and burning the leaves. Strive shifting the plant to a location the place it will get oblique mild relatively than full on solar.
• Root Rot: Whereas these vegetation aren’t prone to illness, root rot may be lethal for these vegetation. An excessive amount of water will really drown the roots, so ensure to have a drainage gap in your planter and use a well-draining potting combine.