Additionally referred to as a Chinese language Evergreen plant, the Aglaonema is a simple to look after houseplant that’s good for rookies and plant lovers who need a fantastic but low-maintenance plant. The Aglaonema options massive, lance-shaped tropical foliage that is available in many alternative colours starting from deep greens, to silver-tinted, to shades of crimson, and even vibrant pink.
These fashionable 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 lots of of Aglaonema cultivars which were bred to showcase variations of leaf patterns and vibrant colours.
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Why are Aglaonema referred to 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 convey success, success, 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 typically 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 straight into the soil to verify the moisture degree. Though the plant can survive brief durations of drought, don’t let the plant dry out all the way in which when you will help it or your leaves might endure. Nonetheless, in case your plant is in a decrease mild space, you’ll be able to let a number of inches of grime 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 finest 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 places are likely to dry out quicker, so these in brighter oblique mild will want extra in comparison with these in low mild conditions.
How a lot daylight do Aglaonema want?
General, the Aglaonema prefers medium to vibrant oblique daylight however could be comfortable in lots of lighting situations (one purpose it’s a simple care houseplant). Whereas an excessive amount of direct daylight can result in leaf burn, the Aglaonema can tolerate various mild situations based mostly on the range.
Darker inexperienced leafed Aglaonema can deal with decrease mild situations higher than the lighter hued varieties, so maintain your Aglaonema in brighter oblique mild if its leaves are a lighter coloration. Rotate your plant now and again to make sure even development.
In case you are taking your plant outdoors for the hotter climate and vibrant mild, expose it to the brand new degree of sunshine slowly over just a few days. Preserve it outdoors 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 development throughout spring and summer time. You should use a basic objective houseplant fertilizer at half power throughout the hotter rising season within the spring and summer time 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 gained’t do nicely, nevertheless, if it drops under 55° levels, so maintain them away from chilly drafts and produce them inside in case you are experiencing decrease temperatures.
Since Aglaonema come from a extra humid setting, they thrive at a excessive humidity degree. You may add extra humidity to your private home with a humidifier or you’ll be able to put some pebbles and water in a tray and easily place your pot on high (be sure the water degree 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.
Loos are a terrific spot for Aglaonema (so long as it has the right mild for them) as they’re a extra humid setting.
Pruning Aglaonema
You gained’t must do a lot pruning in your Aglaonema plant. Simply use sharp scissors or pruning shears to take away useless leaves or stems as they seem to maintain your plant trying tidy.
In case your plant is getting too tall and leggy, you’ll be able to snip the stems again with a sterilized device (to stop spreading illness) above the 4th leaf node and they’re going to regrow leaves nearer to the bottom of the plant. It’s finest to do this sort of pruning within the spring in the beginning of the rising season.
Potting and Repotting Aglaonema
Pot your Aglaonema with well-draining potting combine (you’ll be able to add some perlite, peat moss, or sand to the soil for further drainage) and pots with drainage holes are finest for good drainage so extra water will drain away. Some individuals like so as to add a layer of lava rocks on the backside of their pot beneath 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. Test 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 develop into root certain. Merely transfer the plant to a barely bigger pot with well-draining soil and water totally.
Propagating Aglaonema
To propagate your Aglaonema, you’ll be able to both divide the plant or develop a brand new plant from stem cuttings and the perfect time to do that is throughout the rising season.
Propagate by division:
- Take away the plant from its pot by loosening the soil with a trowel.
- Shake off extra grime and gently separate the roots and plant into two halves.
- Plant every half right into a pot somewhat larger than the foundation ball that’s full of nicely draining soil. Water totally and carry on the moist facet till roots are stronger.
Propagate by stem cuttings:
- Use a clear slicing 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 kind and you’ll plant your new plant right into a small pot of nicely draining soil and maintain 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 you could not even know they’re there). The “flower” is definitely an inflorescence (a stem with a gaggle of flowers) normally appears extra like a distorted leaf than a standard flower. Flowers normally include 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 reduce the flowers that seem on Aglaonema, however since elimination doesn’t damage the plant and the flowers aren’t a lot to take a look at, it’s tremendous to snip them off with a clear slicing device as they seem. Simply be sure to solely reduce the flower off and never the unique leaf it’s popping out from.
Completely different styles 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.
Purple Zircon: This eye-catching plant options vibrant crimson leaves tinged on the sides with a skinny line of darkish inexperienced.
White Rajah: Brilliant white veins pop towards a lush inexperienced for this fashionable selection.
Silver Bay: This selection boasts a shocking 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 straightforward to look after, you could 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 beneath 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: Suggestions of the leaves turning brown can imply the plant is both getting an excessive amount of mild or it is probably not responding nicely to the chemical compounds 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 compounds.
- Leaf Curling: If you happen to discover that your leaves are curling, strive rising the humidity across the plant or putting a tray with water and pebbles beneath the plant to extend humidity. Leaves may curl from beneath watering or from adjustments in temperature, so strive watering extra typically 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 nearly absolutely dry after which water once more, ensuring at the very least the highest inch of soil is dry earlier than watering once more.
- Leaf Colour Loss: If you happen to discover your plant is shedding coloration or vibrancy of its leaves, it could be getting an excessive amount of direct daylight that’s scorching and burning the leaves. Strive transferring the plant to a location the place it will get oblique mild quite than full on solar.
- Root Rot: Whereas these vegetation aren’t prone to illness, root rot could be lethal for these vegetation. An excessive amount of water will really drown the roots, so be sure to have a drainage gap in your planter and use a well-draining potting combine.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Are Aglaonema poisonous to people or pets?
Aglaonema include calcium oxalate crystals, that are mildly poisonous and may trigger irritation to the mouth and abdomen and result in vomiting. If rising in a house with young children and pets current, precautions ought to be taken to maintain the plant up excessive away from attain.
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