Aglaonema
Aglo, Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema
Light Level: Low
Water Level: Medium
The botanical name comes from the Greek aglos (bright) and nema (thread). They tend to be found in the lower elevations, though some are found on forested slopes. The variegation patterns probably evolved to help the plant absorb both the weak light of the forest floor as well as occasional flecks of direct sunlight.
Country of Origin
China. Most of today’s commercial hybrids can be traced back to tropical Southeast Asia, specifically Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Maintenance Tips
Remove yellowed leaves. Remove the creamy, waxy flowers as they emerge.
Aglaonema tolerates a wide range of conditions, including poor light and dry air.
Removing new growth as it emerges will slow growth and delay leggy appearance.
If plant gets too leggy, fertilize the plant, then the next week cut the longest stem with the fewest leaves to within 1 inch of the soil surface. New leaves will emerge in a few weeks.
Plant will not tolerate direct sunlight. Keep evenly moist during the growing season; somewhat drier in the winter.
Pests and Problems
Leaf edges will turn brown if the level of soluble salts is too high or if plant is in a draft or dry air.
Erwinia chrysanthemi is a disease whose symptoms include spots surrounded by yellow halos, and with internal infection, leaves may wilt, yellow and collapse. Erwinia infected plants should be destroyed. Commonly called Erwinia blight.
Dasheen mosaic virus affects members of the Araceae family. In Aglaonema, symptoms are mosaic patterns on the leaves, stunting of growth and disfiguration of the plant. Usually looks bad without the plant actually dying.
Phytophthora is a fungal leaf, root, and stem disease of the water-mold variety affecting Aglaonemas It is related to Pythium and causes mushy, watery leaf spots which turn rust colored with yellow halos when dry. Severe infections result in complete plant collapse.
Rhizoctonia is a fungus that causes a disease with symptoms characterized as a root rot as well as an aerial blight. The entire plant and surface of the growing medium may be affected by rusty-colored minute filaments (the fungal body).
For more care information visit our comprehensive Indoor Gardening Guide.