What Is Aglaonema?
Aglaonema (Aglaonema commutatum) is an herbaceous perennial native to Asia that belongs to the Araceae family of plants—the same family as several other popular houseplants, such as philodendrons and monsteras. This popular houseplant goes by several common names, including Chinese evergreen plant, Philippine evergreen, and poison dart plant. They have large, glossy, dark green leaves that grow on short stems. They reach a mature height of one to two feet tall. Depending on the species, older plants produce flowers in the spring or summer.
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Care guide:
Light Aglaonema prefer bright, indirect light, but can tolerate low light conditions. In low light, the plant may grow more slowly and lose some of its vibrant colors. If you move your plant into brighter light, gradually acclimate it so it doesn't get burned.
Temperature Aglaonema prefer temperatures between 65 80°F and should be kept away from cold drafts and air conditioning vents.
Soil Aglaonema prefer well-draining potting soil with good moisture retention. A mix of coco coir, perlite, and compost can work well. You can also use a pot with drainage holes, or add a layer of lava rocks to the bottom of a pot without drainage holes to help with excess water.
Watering Water your aglaonema when the top inch of soil is dry. Overwatering can cause the potting mix to get wet and the leaves to turn yellow.
Fertilizing During the growing season (spring and summer), you can fertilize your aglaonema every two to four weeks with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. In the fall, you can fertilize once, and you don't need to fertilize in the winter when the plant's growth slows down.
Repotting Aglaonema benefit from occasional repotting, every 18-24 months for larger plants. When you repot, choose a pot that's 2-4 inches larger in diameter to allow for growth, but not much larger than the previous pot. You can repot in the spring or summer when the plant is strongest. If you want to keep the plant's current size, you can repot into the same pot, using new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage.
Pruning You can prune your aglaonema to maintain its shape or promote new growth. For example, you can trim back any leggy or overgrown stems.
